‘Paani ki galati hogi’: Rs 21-cr Surat water tank collapses on first fill, shatters 'like a pot' | Watch

• New water tank in Surat collapsed during trial, injuring three labourers
• Locals allege corruption, poor materials; demand criminal probe, reconstruction
• Structural engineers from SVNIT to investigate; officials promise strict action

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A newly constructed water tank, part of a flagship scheme to supply drinking water to 33 villages in Gujarat’s Surat district, collapsed catastrophically during a test on Friday, injuring three labourers and igniting a firestorm of allegations regarding corruption and substandard construction.

The 15-metre-high reservoir in Tadkeshwar village, built at a cost of Rs 21 crore under the state’s Gaypagla Group Water Supply Scheme, crumbled while holding approximately 9 lakh litres of water during a trial run. The structure, with an 11 lakh-litre capacity, had not been inaugurated or connected to residential supply lines, averting what officials conceded could have been a major tragedy.

In Surat, Gujarat, The water tank collapsed the very first time it was filled with water. It cost 21 crore. pic.twitter.com/RKAFQZslQP

— Believer (@PredatorVolk) January 20, 2026

The scale of the failure was immediately captured in public outrage on social media. One viral post on the platform X starkly summarised the incident: “In Surat, Gujarat, The water tank collapsed the very first time it was filled with water. It cost 21 crore.”

Another, reflecting widespread suspicion of graft, speculated bitterly: “Rs 21 crore water tank built for 14 villages in Surat's Tadkeshwar collapsed during testing. Just imagine how many people turned into billionaires while building it.”

Further amplifying the narrative of shocking fragility, a third user claimed, “In Gujarat's Surat, a 21-crore water tank collapsed even before its inauguration. The moment 15 litres of water were poured in, the tank broke and shattered like an earthen pot,” though official figures state nearly 9 lakh litres were in the tank at the time of collapse.

According to reports, the debris revealed apparent signs of shoddy workmanship, with layers of cement visibly peeling away from broken concrete slabs. The visual evidence has intensified local suspicions that inferior materials were used in the tank’s construction.

Abu Bakar, a resident of Tadkeshwar village, reportedly expressed the community's profound frustration, stating that the tank's failure before any water could be supplied to homes was a clear indication of corruption. He noted that villagers had waited nearly three years for the project and feared a significant loss of life had the collapse occurred after its official inauguration.

The incident has delivered a severe setback to the vital water supply project and triggered demands for a criminal probe. Residents allege the use of substandard cement and iron, accusing the contractor of cutting corners to siphon public funds. They are now insisting on not just an inquiry, but stringent action against all responsible parties and a reconstruction guarantee using high-quality materials.

Deputy Engineer of the Surat Water Supply Department, Jay Somabhai Chaudhary, confirmed the project was awarded to the ‘Jayanti Swaroop’ agency. He stated the structure was under trial when it failed and promised a detailed technical investigation.

Echoing this, Executive Engineer Jay Chaudhary announced that a team of structural engineers from the Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT) in Surat has been tasked with investigating the cause of the collapse. “Strict action will be taken against the contractor once the investigation report is submitted,” he assured, as reported by India Today.