Bhopal, June 25
Two workers lost their lives on Wednesday when a section of an under-construction tunnel collapsed near Choral on the Indore-Ichhapur National Highway, officials said.
The incident occurred around 4 a.m. at Tunnel Number 3, the part of a major infrastructure project, aimed at improving connectivity between Indore and Khandwa.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Umakant Choudhary said, "Persistent heavy rainfall loosened the surrounding soil and triggered the collapse. It caused the outer face of the tunnel to give way. One worker died on the spot, while the other succumbed to injuries in a hospital."
The official also added, "A MERG report has been filed, and we will investigate the matter once the post-mortem reports are received. The investigation will focus on whether safety protocols were adequately followed, especially given the ongoing monsoon season, which often heightens the risk of such accidents."
The deceased have been identified as Vikas Rai, 29, a native of Jhonka Vermasia in Jharkhand's Giridih district, and Lalji Kaul, a resident of Singrauli in Madhya Pradesh.
"Both workers were reportedly staying in a labour camp near the construction site," the officer added.
Rai died on the spot after being buried under debris, while Kaul was initially admitted to a private hospital in Mhow and later referred to the Maharaja Yeshwantrao Hospital in Indore, where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment.