MUMBAI: Five days after a 200-tonne crane toppled on the Sion–Panvel Highway in Mankhurd, killing a 48-year-old police constable, another fatal construction accident has claimed two lives, this time at the under-construction Dahisar–Bhayander Link Road (DBLR) in Bhayander West, intensifying concerns over safety lapses at large-scale infrastructure projects across Mumbai.
Two labourers were killed on Saturday afternoon when a crane collapsed at the project site near Bhayander West railway station. According to the police, the contractor was in the process of setting up a casting yard for the link road project when the accident occurred around 12.30 pm. The platform of a gantry crane at the site suddenly gave way, causing the heavy structure to collapse onto workers below.
The victims, Raghunath Das, 38, and Kana Singh, 45, sustained severe injuries after being crushed under the crane. They were rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared both brought dead.
Civic officials said the collapse involved a structural failure at height. Abhijit Bangar, additional municipal commissioner of BMC (Projects), said the platform next to the gantry crane collapsed from a height of 30 feet.
“Two labourers were crushed as a result of the collapse and died due to the injuries. We have stopped the work as a precautionary measure. We will have a third-party safety audit and then restart the work after safety precautions are put in place. We will also impose a penalty on the contractor,” Bangar said.
{{/usCountry}}“Two labourers were crushed as a result of the collapse and died due to the injuries. We have stopped the work as a precautionary measure. We will have a third-party safety audit and then restart the work after safety precautions are put in place. We will also impose a penalty on the contractor,” Bangar said.
{{/usCountry}}Police have initiated a probe into the incident. Senior police inspector Jitendra Kamble of Bhayander police station said an accidental death report has been registered and investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the collapse and whether negligence was involved.
The incident comes at a time when the city is witnessing an aggressive push on infrastructure, from coastal roads to metro corridors. Safety experts have repeatedly flagged gaps in on-site supervision, equipment maintenance and enforcement of worker protection protocols.
The Dahisar–Bhayander Link Road project itself is a critical connector intended to plug a long-standing gap in Mumbai’s western suburban road network. At present, link roads terminate at Dahisar and resume only at Vasai, forcing commuters through congested routes.
The 5-km elevated corridor will connect Dahisar West to Bhayander West, traversing Vasai creek. Of the total stretch, 1.5 km falls under the BMC’s jurisdiction, while 3.5 km lies with the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation. Engineering major Larson & Toubro secured the contract in July 2024, quoting ₹3,304 crore for the project.
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