Bareilly tank collapse: Firms blacklisted, officials face action

Lucknow: UP govt has blacklisted construction firm, NCC, and third-party inspection agency, BLG Construction Services, and ordered a statewide safety audit after an under-construction water tank collapsed in Bareilly on May 4.The incident occurred in the Alampur Jafarabad development block, prompting immediate attention from Jal Shakti Minister, Swatantra Dev Singh.Acting on preliminary findings, govt has barred both agencies from securing fresh contracts and lodged an FIR against them for alleged lapses in construction and inspection processes.Executive engineer Kumkum has been suspended in connection with the case. Two junior engineers of Jal Nigam (rural) have also been suspended for negligence, and a departmental inquiry has been initiated against all of them. Additionally, two outsourced assistant engineers have been terminated, while the Bareilly in-charge of BLG Construction Services has been removed from duty.Jal Shakti minister Swatantra Dev Singh has directed a statewide safety audit of all water tank projects — both completed and under construction — through third-party inspection agencies and asked senior officials to ensure strict monitoring and quality control.Govt has also imposed financial penalties, fining NCC 5% of the project cost and directing it to reconstruct the collapsed tank at its own expense. The inspection agency has been fined 1% of the project cost. Officials said further action may follow based on the final inquiry report.