In a horrifying incident, a man was seriously injured after a metal rod fell from an under-construction metro rail site and pierced his head while he was travelling in an auto-rickshaw in Bhiwandi on Tuesday afternoon.
The shocking incident took place on the Narpoli-Dhamankar Naka stretch, where work on the first phase of the Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan Metro 5 line is currently underway.
The victim is identified as 20-year-old Sonu Ali, a resident of Vitthal Nagar in Bhiwandi. Around 2 pm, he was travelling in an auto-rickshaw when a 5 to 6 foot-long and 20mm-thick metal rod reportedly fell from an under-construction structure above, pierced the roof of the rickshaw, and pierced his head.
As per eyewitnesses, Sonu remained conscious even after the incident. The rickshaw driver tore open the hood and rescued him. The local residents rushed him to the Noble Hospital in Bhiwandi.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which is in charge of the metro project, confirmed the incident and expressed deep regret over it.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the authority said it had imposed penalties of Rs 50 lakh on the project contractor, Afcons, and Rs 5 lakh on the general consultant, Systra India, for “supervisory lapses”. It added that an independent inquiry has been ordered into the incident, and further action will be taken based on the findings.
Soon after the incident was reported to MMRDA, the safety heads of both Afcons and Systra rushed to the hospital to ensure the injured man received immediate and comprehensive medical care, the statement said.
MMRDA has also directed Afcons to bear all medical expenses and provide necessary support to the injured man, the statement added.
