A tragic accident occurred at the Harappan archaeological site of Lothal, Gujarat, claiming the life of 23-year-old PhD researcher Surabhi Verma from IIT Delhi and injuring her professor, Dr. Yama Dixit. The incident raises critical concerns about the lack of safety measures and the minimal involvement of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in regulating activities near such historically significant sites.
Sequence of Events and Oversights
A joint research team from IIT Delhi and IIT Gandhinagar was conducting soil sampling to study climate change’s impact on the Indus Valley civilisation. During this activity, a 12-foot-deep trench was dug within 50 metres of the Lothal site—well inside the 100-metre prohibited zone surrounding an ASI-protected area. The team reportedly hired a nearby excavator without consulting the ASI or employing adequate safety protocols. Tragically, the trench collapsed, burying Verma and partially trapping Dr. Dixit.
Witness accounts and investigations reveal the trench’s precarious construction: it was narrow, unreinforced, and excavated without considering high groundwater levels following monsoonal rains. The lack of basic safety equipment, such as ropes or helmets, compounded the risks. Locals described how the trench quickly filled with water following successive collapses, leaving little chance for timely rescue.
Inadequate Safety and Regulatory Framework
ASI officials stated that the researchers did not seek permission for the excavation, which should have involved ASI oversight. Dr. Abhijit Ambekar, Superintending Archaeologist of the Vadodara Circle, noted that permission, if requested, would have included safety conditions and ASI personnel at the site. However, ambiguity arises as another ASI official suggested that the soil sampling might not require formal excavation approval, though safety norms were unequivocally neglected.
The lack of clarity over jurisdiction and regulatory requirements exacerbated the situation. While IIT Gandhinagar claimed its role was limited to logistical support, it is evident that neither institution prioritised safety measures or consulted ASI experts to navigate the site’s sensitive conditions.
Accountability and Aftermath
The tragic incident underscores significant failings in planning, execution, and collaboration among all parties involved. Ajir Verma, the victim’s cousin, criticised the negligence, highlighting the absence of protective gear and expertise in assessing the site’s conditions. “This is the height of negligence,” he said, questioning how such oversight could occur in a high-risk, waterlogged area.
While the police investigation is ongoing, and IIT Gandhinagar has distanced itself from the project, broader questions persist regarding the enforcement of safety norms and the ASI’s role in overseeing non-archaeological excavations near heritage sites.
The collapse at Lothal is a stark reminder of the perils of inadequate safety planning and regulatory ambiguity. It highlights the need for stricter protocols and active ASI involvement in all activities near protected sites. Institutions must prioritise safety, accountability, and inter-agency collaboration to prevent such avoidable tragedies in the future.