The Gujarat government has retrieved Rs 1.04 crore from a construction agency following the collapse of a newly built overhead water tank in Surat district. Water Resources and Supply Minister Ishwarsinh Patel disclosed this information to the state Assembly. The tank, located at Hariyal Sub Headworks in Tadkeshwar village, with a storage capacity of nine lakh litres, had a sanctioned cost of Rs 94.84 lakh, out of which Rs 83.45 lakh had already been paid to the agency.
Following the tank collapse during testing, the government took back Rs 1.04 crore from the contractor and lodged a police complaint against the responsible construction firm. Those accountable for the incident, including officials, were suspended from their duties and are presently in judicial custody. Patel emphasized that rigorous inspections were ongoing at other project sites handled by the same agency to ensure accountability.
The collapse occurred in January during a trial run when the tank was being filled with water to assess its durability. Standing at 15 meters high, the structure was part of the ‘Gaypagla Group Water Supply Scheme’ aimed at providing drinking water to multiple villages in the area. The sudden collapse during testing resulted in injuries to three laborers working nearby. Patel also assured the Assembly that a new water tank would be erected at the same location to maintain water supply for local residents.
Providing a broader perspective on water infrastructure in the state, the minister highlighted the construction of over 20,000 water tanks in Gujarat over the past 25 years. These efforts were directed at ensuring clean drinking water access, especially for citizens in remote regions. In Surat district alone, more than Rs 24 crore has been allocated to enhance water supply to 34 villages, emphasizing the project’s goal of bolstering drinking water availability in rural areas.
