Nagpur: A retaining wall at a construction site in Mahal’s B-Park area collapsed on Saturday morning and left three workers injured, including two operators of heavy machinery. The retaining wall, designed to prevent soil collapse around the deep excavation pit for the basement, gave way, causing debris to trap two workers inside the Poclain excavator cabin. A third worker, a site helper, managed to escape with minor injuries. Now, the buildings adjacent to the construction site are at potential risk, as blocks on the ground level have visible cracks.The incident occurred while the machines were engaged in concreting the basement, as confirmed by officials. A fire official present at the site said the collapse was likely triggered by continuous vibrations from the machinery combined with the impact of recent heavy rains. Immediate rescue efforts were launched by fire brigade teams from Ganjipeth and Cotton Market stations, who successfully freed the trapped workers. All three injured persons were rushed to Mayo Hospital, where they are currently receiving medical treatment.Officials on site highlighted the challenges faced in retrieving the two Poclain machines, each valued at approximately Rs80 lakh, which remain trapped under the debris. Fire official Baban Jadhav said, “The site’s limited road access is complicating efforts to bring in heavy cranes required for the removal of the equipment.” A fire brigade team has been stationed on standby as debris clearance continues to create sufficient space for crane operations.The construction project is a joint initiative between VIPL and the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). Police officials have recorded statements from the three injured workers and are currently investigating the incident. “We are awaiting a detailed report that will help determine exactly who was at fault. Based on the findings, a case will be registered against the responsible individual or agency under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS),” a senior official said.In the aftermath of the collapse, police cleared street vendors who were operating in close proximity to the construction site. Fire officers Nitin Vaidya, Gopal Kaluse, Vilas Ramteke, and senior officer Sayyed Shaukat Ali were on the spot.Anil Gedam, executive engineer of the NMC’s Dhantoli Zone, detailed the preventive measures already implemented at the site. “We completed the storing and anchoring of the basement, which involves the safe placement of construction materials and installation of mechanical supports to stabilise retaining walls and prevent soil collapse,” he explained.A team of project engineers and structural experts has been deployed on site to thoroughly inspect the area and determine the precise cause of the collapse. While the final report is awaited, the authorities have planned immediate backfilling of the excavation pit as a priority. Additional structural supports will be installed from the bottom to the top of the retaining walls, along with stabilisers to mitigate future risks.Gedam further disclosed concerns about two buildings adjacent to the accident site that now fall within a risk zone due to potential soil instability. One is a single-storey structure, and the other is a three-floor commercial complex. Both areas have been sealed off, and the occupants have been asked to vacate as a precautionary measure.
