A water tank built at a cost of Rs 21 crore in Gujarat’s Surat district collapsed during a trial run, causing a major setback to the project intended to supply drinking water to 33 villages. The 15-metre-high, 11-lakh-litre tank in Tadkeshwar village, part of the “Gaypagla Group Water Supply Scheme,” crumbled on January 19 while being tested with 9 lakh litres of water, injuring three labourers. Fortunately, no major tragedy occurred as the tank had not yet been inaugurated.

Locals allege substandard materials were used in the construction, pointing to possible corruption. Observations at the site revealed peeling cement layers and poor-quality iron, raising suspicions of cost-cutting by the contractor. The project, awarded to the “Jayanti Swaroop” agency, is under technical investigation by structural engineers from SVNIT, Surat. Officials have promised strict action against the contractor once the inquiry concludes. Residents are demanding criminal action against those responsible and insist that only high-quality materials be used to ensure safe and reliable drinking water.