The Bombay High Court has directed the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to submit a detailed report on seven accidents reported at three Metro construction sites between February 14 and October 17, 2026. The court has given the authority three weeks to explain the incidents and outline the safety measures implemented.
A bench comprising Justices Ajay Gadkari and Kamal Khata issued the direction on Wednesday while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Ruju Thakkar. The petition followed a February accident in Mulund involving construction work on Metro Line 4.
During the hearing, Thakkar informed the court about seven incidents linked to Metro Lines 2B, 4 and 9, raising concerns about safety practices at infrastructure project sites.
She specifically referred to an October 17 incident near the Anand Nagar-Saket elevated corridor, close to the Thane-Mumbai entry point. An iron reinforcement structure reportedly fell onto a moving car, seriously injuring a woman passenger and the driver. The vehicle also suffered extensive damage.
The petitioners argued that repeated accidents warranted judicial intervention and called for stronger safety oversight across Mumbai’s Metro construction network.
Senior advocate Ashutosh Kumbhakoni, representing the MMRDA, told the court that the authority would submit an additional affidavit responding to the incidents raised during the proceedings. The bench granted three weeks for filing the report and scheduled the next hearing for November 26.
The PIL originated from an accident on February 14 on LBS Road in Mulund, during construction of the Wadala-Thane-Kasarvadavali Metro 4 corridor. A concrete parapet weighing approximately 2.5 metric tonnes fell from a Metro pillar, triggering concerns about construction-site safety.
The petition seeks directions for safety audits across all Metro corridors in Mumbai.
An MMRDA-appointed inquiry committee had reportedly attributed the Mulund incident to contractor negligence involving RAJV. According to its findings, the accident was not caused by defective design or materials but occurred after temporary supports holding the parapet were removed.
The court’s latest direction places renewed attention on construction safety, contractor accountability and preventive measures as Mumbai continues expanding its Metro network.
Source: The Free Press Journal
