100 Metres Of Highway Near Bhopal Collapses And Creates 30 Feet Deep Crater: Video

We often come across videos and social media posts about the pathetic condition of highways in India. Some of the recently constructed or renovated highways even have quality issues, and we have seen several videos of the same. Here we have another video coming from Madhya Pradesh, where a 100-metre section of the highway near Bhopal collapsed and created a crater that is almost 30 feet deep.

The video has been circulating on various social media platforms. The one seen here is from an X user called Delhiite. The incident happened on Monday afternoon near Sukhi Sewania, near Bhopal. This happened around the afternoon near a bridge connecting Mandideep to Intkhedi. Thankfully, when this happened, there were no vehicles on the road.

Around 12–1 pm, a 100-metre section of the highway simply collapsed and created a large crater. It was easily over 30 feet deep. The road that collapsed is a key route that connects Bhopal to Indore, Hoshangabad, Jabalpur, Mandla, and Sagar.

The video claims that this is part of NH46, but there are reports suggesting that the road falls under the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation (MPRDC), and the caved section is actually part of State Highway 18. Officials told the media that this is a busy highway, with almost 25–30 vehicles passing through this stretch every minute.

This is not the first time we have come across an incident like this. As mentioned by the authorities, this is a busy highway, and if a vehicle - be it a truck or a car - had been on this section when the road collapsed, it would have led to a major accident. The occupants of the vehicle would have suffered serious injuries, and the vehicle would have also suffered major damage.

After the road collapsed, authorities got involved and barricades were immediately placed along the damaged section of the road. The road in question was actually built in 2013 under the BOT model. The company’s contract was cancelled back in 2020 for not meeting construction terms.

Since then, there has been no official agency responsible for the maintenance of this road. The MPRDC assumed oversight and used to carry out minor repairs when needed. The concerned department has already formed a team to look into this matter and investigate the cause.

MPRDC Divisional Manager Sonal Sinha said, “About 100 meters of the road has caved in, leaving a 30-foot-deep crater. We are forming a team to investigate this matter. Preliminary findings suggest the collapse of the Reinforced Earth (RE) wall.”

A three-member technical committee has also been formed to examine the structural failure. If the investigation reveals negligence or irregularities, strict action will be taken against those responsible.

Locals have shared their concerns about the quality of the road, and leaders from the opposition political party have also visited the spot and claimed that this is the result of negligence and corruption. This is the second time an incident like this has been reported from Madhya Pradesh in the last four months. In July, a road near MP Nagar caved in 8 feet deep after heavy rains.