1 killed, 4 injured as under-construction Metro pillar collapses in Mumbai
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Mumbai: One person was killed and at least four others injured after a section of a parapet wall from an under-construction Metro rail bridge collapsed onto LBS Road in Mulund (West), Mumbai, officials said. The debris fell onto a passing auto-rickshaw and a car, causing panic among commuters.
Authorities said the collapsed section measured approximately 6x4 feet. Emergency services rushed to the scene immediately to assist the injured and secure the area.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) confirmed that all necessary medical assistance is being provided. Members of the Metro project team arrived at the site and are coordinating with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and disaster management authorities to carry out relief and site-securing operations.
The BMC disaster control wing verified the size of the fallen parapet section and said rescue and clearance operations were conducted promptly.
The deceased has been identified as Ramdhan Yadav. Among the injured, Rajkumar Indrajeet Yadav, 45, is in critical condition in the intensive care unit, while Mahendra Pratap Yadav, 52, and Deepa Ruhiya, 40, are stable. Details regarding the fourth injured person have not yet been released.
The MMRDA announced that a formal enquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the collapse and to review construction safety protocols and structural stability measures at the site.
In a statement, the MMRDA said: “The Metro project team is at the site and is working on relief operations and securing the site in close coordination with BMC and disaster management authorities.”
The incident drew strong criticism from Congress MP and Mumbai Congress President Varsha Gaikwad, who raised concerns about public safety on X. She questioned whether safety measures were adequately implemented during the Metro project's progress and called for accountability.
“Have Mumbaikars’ lives become so cheap? Does the government and MMRDA administration have anything to do with this? They’re merely acting as infra managers and doing PR, but what about people’s lives?” she asked.
Gaikwad further questioned why safety rules were not properly enforced during construction on busy roads and whether quality and technical safety were being compromised in the rush to complete the project.
“Every time such incidents occur, there is only the drama of an investigation. Who will take responsibility? Development should not come at the cost of endangering Mumbaikars’ lives,” she added.
Further details are awaited as the investigation into the incident continues.
With IANS inputs