An autorickshaw driver and his passenger sustained injuries after a hydraulic crane toppled onto a safety barricade at the Anand Nagar–Saket elevated freeway construction site on Thursday. The barricade struck their vehicle near Siddheshwar Lake along the Eastern Express Highway, raising fresh concerns about safety at infrastructure project sites.
The incident occurred around 1 pm on the service road along the Mumbai-bound carriageway. A loud noise drew the attention of pedestrians and motorists, several of whom rushed to help. Traffic on the busy stretch was briefly disrupted following the mishap.
Bystanders rescued the autorickshaw driver, whose identity was not immediately established. The passenger, Farqoue Shaikh, 29, a resident of Ambernath, was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. “The driver escaped with minor injuries, while the passenger suffered injuries to his left hand and is recuperating,” an official said. The autorickshaw was damaged in the incident.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which is undertaking the elevated freeway project, is likely to investigate the accident. However, the authority had not responded by press time to queries about the incident or possible action against those responsible.
The accident has renewed scrutiny of safety arrangements at major infrastructure works across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Residents and commuters have increasingly raised concerns about construction activity along heavily used roads, citing risks from falling debris and other site-related hazards.
“There is so much development work happening on city roads that motorists frequently encounter welding sparks or falling debris. Agencies should enforce strict safety measures rather than wait for a major mishap,” said motorist Ankur Thakkar.
The latest incident adds to a series of construction-related mishaps reported at MMRDA project sites this year. In September, a flyover on Ghodbunder Road was shut indefinitely after serious defects were detected in its barricading wall, barely a year after its inauguration.
Earlier incidents included granite stones falling into a work zone on Metro Line 9 in Mira Road in August, a fatal crane-related accident at the Sewri–Worli Connector site in May, and a crane collapse near Asian Heart Hospital in April. In February, a falling parapet segment on Metro Line 4 struck vehicles on LBS Road, killing one person and injuring three.
The recurring incidents have intensified calls for stricter supervision, equipment checks and effective safeguards around construction zones.
Source: Times of India
