Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered a high-level inquiry into the collapse of an under-construction culvert on the Bhargi–Kunan road in Doda district that left one labourer dead and 13 others injured, while suspending two engineers pending investigation into the incident.
According to Government Order No. 184-PW(R&B) of 2026 dated May 26, the government has appointed Engineer-in-Chief (Secretary Technical), Public Works (R&B) Department, Er. Purshotam Kumar, as the Inquiry Officer to probe the circumstances surrounding the collapse of a 6-metre span culvert in Block Gandoh of Doda district.
The inquiry officer has been directed to submit a detailed report within 15 days.
The tragic incident took place on Tuesday at the Gill Nallah site along the Bhargi–Kunan road stretch where construction work was in progress. Officials said the under-construction structure suddenly caved in, trapping several labourers beneath the debris and triggering panic at the site.
A woman labourer from Chhattisgarh lost her life in the incident, while 13 others sustained injuries of varying severity. Rescue teams and local authorities immediately launched an evacuation operation and shifted the injured to Government Medical College (GMC) Doda for treatment.
Medical Superintendent of GMC Doda, Dr. Tanveer Ahmed, said emergency protocols were activated soon after the injured were brought to the hospital.
“Thirteen labourers were injured and shifted to Medical College Doda after being administered first aid. Six patients have so far been received here, including two with head injuries and four with minor injuries,” he said.
He added that the condition of the seriously injured labourers was being closely monitored and CT scans were being conducted to assess the extent of head injuries. The woman labourer was declared dead on arrival at the hospital, he said.
In the aftermath of the incident, the government placed two officials of the PMGSY Division under suspension with immediate effect pending inquiry into their conduct.
The suspended officials have been identified as Er. Naveen Kumar, Incharge Assistant Executive Engineer, and Er. Imtiaz Ahmed Shah, Junior Engineer of PMGSY Division Thathri, Sub Division Gandoh.
The order stated that during the suspension period, both officers would remain attached with the Office of the Chief Engineer, PMGSY Jammu, and would be entitled to suspension allowance as admissible under rules.
The suspension order was issued by Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Public Works (R&B) Department, Anil Kumar Singh, IAS.
The incident has once again raised serious questions over safety standards and monitoring mechanisms at infrastructure project sites in the hilly districts of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in remote areas where labourers often work under risky conditions.
