Airport wall collapses again in Malkangiri, raising questions about work quality

Heavy rain has been lashing Malkangiri district for the past few days, leading to the collapse of the airport wall once again on Monday. Despite repairs carried out only a few days earlier, the wall could not withstand the downpour and crumbled, raising fresh concerns about the quality of construction work. Allegations of minimal-level work and poor construction standards had been raised earlier as well.

Repeated Incidents of Wall Failure

This is not the first such incident at Malkangiri airport. In the past, the collapse of the wall due to incessant rains had resulted in two deaths. The previous collapse was linked to faulty design and poor construction quality. Even though the wall was rebuilt following a new design, the structure has once again failed.

Design Flaws and Drainage Issues

The poor structural design has also been blamed for water accumulation, as the lack of a proper drainage system has worsened the situation. Continuous rainfall for about four hours on Sunday is reported to have caused the wall to give way. The rainwater rolling down from the hill added further pressure, leading to significant damage to the airport wall and the adjoining asphalt road.

Public Anger Over Quality of Work

Local residents have expressed frustration over the repeated incidents, alleging negligence in construction and repair work. The recurring collapses have raised questions over the accountability of those responsible for the airport infrastructure.

One of the locals said, “Malkangiri is a remote part of Odisha and still undergoing development. So, having an airport in our area felt like a dream come true. However, every monsoon, the boundary wall collapses due to the substandard work carried out by the contractors. Two people have died, and one remains hospitalised following the most recent collapse. Despite numerous complaints raised on the matter, the administration has yet to take any meaningful action.”

The latest collapse has once again put the spotlight on construction quality, with locals demanding urgent and lasting measures to prevent further damage.