The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has called for immediate action against a redevelopment project in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, after a second fatal workplace accident occurred at the same high-rise construction site within two months.
The latest incident took place on Tuesday evening when a 29-year-old labourer died after falling from the 27th floor of a building under redevelopment. According to initial reports, the worker reportedly lost balance while carrying out drilling-related work, leading to the fatal fall.
Reacting strongly to the incident, MNS city president Gajanan Kale demanded that the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) immediately cancel the commencement certificate (CC) issued to the construction firm responsible for the project. He argued that continued permission for work at the site poses a serious risk to labour safety.
This is the second such tragedy reported at the same location in a short span. Earlier on March 4, a 21-year-old labourer had also lost his life while engaged in construction activities at the site. The back-to-back fatalities have intensified concerns over enforcement of safety standards and monitoring of redevelopment projects in the rapidly growing city.
MNS leaders have alleged negligence in implementing basic safety protocols at the construction site and questioned whether adequate supervision and protective measures were in place for workers operating at high altitudes.
The incident has once again brought attention to labour safety conditions at high-rise redevelopment projects across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, where large-scale construction activity continues at a rapid pace.
Authorities are expected to review the circumstances surrounding both accidents, while pressure is mounting on civic officials to take stricter action against developers found violating safety regulations. The demand for cancellation of permissions is likely to add further urgency to ongoing discussions around construction site accountability and worker protection in Navi Mumbai.
Source: The Times of India
