A road built at a cost of Rs 400 million (Rs 400 mn) in Indore gave way during testing of a newly laid 24-hour water supply pipeline. The stretch was completed about three years ago under the Smart City project and CCTV footage of the failure has circulated on social media. The surface opened and water gushed out at high pressure, prompting vehicles and pedestrians to move away.

The visible breach raised concerns about the condition of underlying layers and whether the road met construction and technical standards. Observers said a failure during a pressure test suggested weaknesses that heavy rainfall, continuous traffic or future utility work could worsen. Municipal teams and the construction agency have been asked to make interim repairs and assess the structural integrity of the affected stretch.

Rajendra Rathore, a member of the Indore Municipal Corporation and head of its Information Committee, has sought a high-level investigation and written to central and state officials seeking an impartial probe. He alleged that several Smart City works, costing about Rs 10 billion (Rs 10 bn) in total, had faced quality questions and that the road had required repeated repairs despite its recent construction. He said earlier complaints to the then mayor and municipal commissioner resulted mainly in notices rather than corrective action.

A technical enquiry will be key to determining whether construction or engineering shortcomings contributed to the collapse and to recommending remedial measures. Immediate priorities are to restore the carriageway, secure the pipeline and prevent further damage to adjacent sections. Findings will guide longer term repairs and standards for future Smart City works. The municipality and contractors are coordinating assessments and repairs and are expected to publish findings.