UP govt blacklists firm, suspends engineers after probe into lapses

The Uttar Pradesh government has blacklisted construction firm NCC and third-party inspection agency BLG Construction Services following the collapse of an under-construction water tank in Bareilly, officials said. The move comes after preliminary findings of an inquiry into the incident, which occurred on May 4 in the Alampur Jafarabad development block.Authorities have also registered an FIR against both NCC and BLG Construction Services over alleged lapses in construction and inspection processes. The action follows directions from Jal Shakti minister Swatantra Dev Singh, who reviewed the case after the collapse.Executive engineer Kumkum has been suspended in connection with the incident. Two junior engineers of the Jal Nigam (Rural) have also been suspended for alleged negligence in duty. Additionally, a departmental inquiry has been initiated against all suspended officials.Further, two assistant engineers appointed through outsourcing have been terminated from service. The Bareilly in-charge of BLG Construction Services has also been removed from duty with immediate effect.Officials said NCC and BLG Construction Services will be barred from receiving any new government contracts following the blacklisting decision. The construction firm has also been fined 5 per cent of the total project cost and directed to reconstruct the collapsed water tank at its own expense. The inspection agency has been fined 1 per cent of the project cost for alleged lapses in supervision and quality checks.The Jal Shakti minister has also ordered a statewide safety audit of all water tank projects, both completed and under construction. He has directed officials to ensure strict quality control and mandated third-party inspection agencies to carry out technical safety audits, with continuous monitoring of ongoing infrastructure works.Officials said further action may follow after the final report of the investigation is submitted.