In a tragic development, two migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh engaged in laying pipes died at the Varthur lakebed in Bengaluru as the earth suddenly caved in on Sunday.

The deceased have been identified as Sandeep (20) and Akhilesh Yadav(21), according to news reports. According to initial reports, another person related to the work has been injured.

Officers at the Whitefield Police Station said, “There is a pipeline being placed in Varthur Kodi to take water to Kolar. It has happened there when suddenly the earth caved in. Two persons have died. Another person is in the hospital.” 

A case of accidental death (304A of the Indian Penal Code) has been registered. Officials of the Minor Irrigation Department and the contractor could not be reached for a comment.

The deceased were employed with Megha Engineering and Infrastructure, a contractor with the Karnataka Minor Irrigation Department.

Officials of the Minor Irrigation Department and the contractor could not be reached for a comment.

The laying of pipelines in the lake, an unpopular project carried out by Minor Irrigation Department to transport waste water from Varthur to lakes in Kolar have faced opposition from the local residents in the past.

The project will ensure that the water from sewage treatment plants of Bangalore Water Supply and Sewage Board are pumped to Narsapura Lake in Kolar.

The citizens struggle to save Varthur Lake comes at a time a number of lakes in the area are mired in contentious developmental activities.

Activists and scientists have claimed the project is unscientific, environment unfriendly and even a potential health hazard.