3 workers killed under Narmada river embankment collapse during renovation near Statue of Unity, FIR lodged against contractor

District fire and emergency response teams, along with residents, rushed to the spot, but could not save the workers. Their bodies were later recovered after a gruelling two-hour rescue operation on the riverbank, police said.

The Narmada district police have lodged a case against Shailesh Patel, owner of Maa Infra agency, which had been awarded the contract for the riverbank renovation. Police Inspector M K Chaudhary of Ekta Nagar police station said, “The FIR has been lodged for negligence and the probe is initiated. The accused will be arrested as per the procedure once the primary probe is complete.”

Following a meeting between district officials, BJP, AAP and Congress leaders on Monday afternoon, the agency announced compensation of Rs 50 lakh to the kin of each deceased, and the SOUADTGA authorities announced employment to one family member each of the victims.

BJP MLA Darshana Deshmukh said, “Following a meeting with the families of the victims, and with our (BJP’s) recommendation, the agency has agreed to pay Rs 50 lakh as compensation to each family. One member of the family will also be offered employment at SoU. Of the compensation amount, Rs 20 lakh will be disbursed immediately. The families have consented to this compensation and employment offer.”

The incident occurred days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit for the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations on October 30 and 31, marking the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. While residents alleged that the contractor had been “pressuring the labourers” to complete the work before October 30, Chaudhary said that the renovation was not linked to preparations for the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations.

The FIR has been filed under sections 106(1) (causing death by negligence) and 54 (liability of the abettor as if he were present when the offence is committed) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita.

AAP’s Dediapada MLA Chaitar Vasava, BJP MLA from Nandod Darshana Deshmukh, and district leaders from both the BJP and Congress visited the Garudeshwar Civil Hospital and the victims’ families.

SoU Area Development and Tourism Governance Authority (SOUADTGA) CEO Amit Arora, under whose jurisdiction the area falls, was unavailable for comment on Monday.