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Mumbai: A 20-year-old man was critically injured on Tuesday after a metal rod from an under-construction metro site fell through the roof of an autorickshaw and pierced his head. The shocking event prompted the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to take swift punitive action against those responsible.
The MMRDA imposed a Rs 50 lakh fine on Afcons Infrastructure, the civil contractor, and Rs 5 lakh on Systra-CEG-Systra India, the general consultant, citing “supervisory lapses”. It also ordered both firms to provide immediate and comprehensive medical support to the victim, Sonu Ali, and launched an independent inquiry headed by the Chief Safety Manager of AICA. Notably, no monetary compensation has yet been announced for the severely injured individual.
“MMRDA has directed M/s Afcons to bear all medical expenses and provide necessary support to the affected individual,” the authority stated, adding that safety officials from both companies rushed to the hospital following the incident.
The incident occurred near Narpoli-Dhamankar Naka along the Thane-Bhiwandi metro corridor, where Ali was travelling in a rickshaw when the metal rod suddenly plunged from overhead construction work, tearing through the vehicle’s roof and embedding itself in his forehead.
Graphic visuals reviewed, showed Ali still conscious, seated in the backseat with his white shirt drenched in blood and the rod lodged at a disturbing angle in his skull. Horrified bystanders gathered around, some filming the scene while others watched in disbelief.
The MMRDA meanwhile has promised stricter safety protocols across metro construction sites and said further action would be taken following the results of the ongoing inquiry.
