Two construction workers were killed early Wednesday when a section of an under-construction tunnel caved in near Choral on the Indore-Ichhapur National Highway. The collapse, attributed to heavy rains loosening soil around Tunnel Number 3, occurred around 4 a.m.
Vikas Rai from Jharkhand died on the spot, while Lalji Kaul from Madhya Pradesh succumbed to injuries at a hospital. Officials have launched an investigation to determine whether safety protocols were followed, especially given monsoon risks.
The tunnel, part of a 4.1-km stretch aimed at easing travel between Indore and Khandwa, is being constructed by a Hyderabad-based firm and was slated for a June 2026 opening. The incident has renewed debate over construction safety, following a similar recent tragedy in Jhabua district.