Mumbai: Senior citizen injured due to lack of walking space near Metro

Metro construction work has led to the side road and footpath being blocked. Pics/Anurag Ahire

A Senior citizen was seriously injured on Saturday after being hit by a bike near Swami Samarth Nagar Metro station in Andheri West. Lokhandwala resident Rajesh Nangia, 69, has alleged that he was hit by the biker as there is no space to walk due to the ongoing Metro Line 6 work being carried out at the location.

The incident took place around 4.30 pm on Saturday. "I was going to pick up my granddaughter from class. Suddenly one biker hit me, after which I fainted. The Metro work has been going on for a long time and as a result, the side road, along with the footpath, has been blocked. Other residents and I have been asking the workers at the site to create a safe barricaded pedestrian path. But no one paid attention and now I'm seriously injured," Nangia said.

An eyewitness said passersby caught the biker. "Around that time Nangia received a call on his cell phone. We answered and the caller told us to send him home. The biker then took him to his residence."

Sagur Nangia at the spot where his father was hit; (right) Barricades installed following the incident

According to his son Sagur, Nangia was bleeding from the head when he reached home. "My brother took him to Kokilaben Ambani Hospital where he was thoroughly examined. His left leg is fractured and his right hand is severely injured. He will have to undergo surgery for his hand," Sagur said, adding that the police have registered a complaint regarding the incident but the family will consider filing a case after Nangia recovers.

Meanwhile, a local resident said barricades had been put up along the work side, but there is no path for pedestrians to walk. "We are forced to walk on the road. Many citizens have asked the workers and officers to prepare a safe passage for pedestrians. A month ago, concrete barricades were put up for this, but they were removed after a few days as they allegedly caused traffic congestion," the local said, adding that the barricades have been put up again after the accident. "Nangia wouldn't have met with the accident if the barricades hadn't been removed."

"A collision occurred involving an auto-rickshaw and a biker, resulting in injuries to a pedestrian. Our team quickly administered first-aid and transported the injured biker and pedestrian to. We have stationed a traffic marshal to assist pedestrians. Concrete barriers have also been strategically positioned at regular intervals for pedestrian safety," said the MMRDA public relations officer.