{
  "id": 2605061,
  "title": "60-Metre Drain Collapses On ₹12.41-Crore PMGSY Road; Inquiry Ordered In MP's Manawar",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/60-metre-drain-collapses-on-12-41-crore-pmgsy-road-inquiry-ordered-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-22T15:20:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/indore/60-metre-drain-collapses-on-1241-crore-pmgsy-road-inquiry-ordered-in-mps-manawar"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A 60-metre drain collapsed on a ₹12.41-crore PMGSY road in Manawar, Madhya Pradesh, prompting an investigation. The 19.90-km Lunhera-Manawar road, built via Nigarni, was constructed under the PMGSY scheme for farmers. However, during heavy rains, the drain wall gave way, allowing water to infiltrate fields and wash away fertile soil. Farmer Mushtaq accused the authorities of using inadequate reinforcement and substandard materials, which damaged his bitter gourd crop. The project board spent Rs 1,241.01 lakh on road construction and allocated Rs 87.84 lakh for maintenance. Villagers also claim that four bridges along the road are yet to be completed. They are demanding an on-site technical audit and an investigation into alleged collusion between contractors and officials. Sub-engineer Sudarshan stated that the drain was built after taking measurements, and its collapse would be investigated and rebuilt if necessary. PMGSY chief engineer Mangilal Dawar has ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the matter, examining the roles of the sub-engineer, sub-divisional officer, executive engineer, manager, and contractor. He emphasized that the drain wall should be around 20 centimetres thick as per the design. If the inquiry uncovers any violations of construction standards, action will be taken. Villagers are demanding inspections of the drain's thickness, reinforcement, cement, and other materials, as well as disclosure of the road's guarantee period, payments, measurement book, and quality test report to determine responsibility for any irregularities.",
  "summary": "Manawar (Madhya Pradesh): Villagers have raised questions over the construction quality of the 19.90-km Lunhera-Manawar road via Nigarni, built under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) for Rs 12.41 crore. More than 60 metres of a 300-metre roadside drain at Kunwad village collapsed during rains, allegedly allowing water to enter fields and wash away fertile soil. Farmer Mushtaq alleged…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}