Thane crane accident: Was workers’ safety compromised?

The girder that collapsed in Shahapur on Tuesday. Pics/Sameer Markande

At least 20 workers were killed on Monday, when a 700-metric-tonnes girder along with a 500-600 metric tonnes girder launcher crane fell from a height of 35 metres, during the construction of a bridge in the third phase of the Samruddhi Expressway in Shahapur in Thane district. There were 28 workers at the site when the accident took place near Khutadi village. One of the survivors has registered an FIR against the contractors of two companies involved in the construction, alleging the safety of workers was compromised.

The companies are now under investigation by Shahapur police. According to NDRF officials, the bodies of the deceased were crushed under the heavy metal and concrete debris to such an extent that some were cut into pieces. Most of the workers who died were from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

MSRDC statement

According to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), the incident occurred at around 11:30 pm on Monday during the construction of a 2.28 km long viaduct with the use of advanced methods by the contractor M/s Navayuga Engineering Company Ltd which has sub-contracted VSL India private limited Singapore, a leading company.

Relatives and friends of the deceased and the survivors at the Sub-district Hospital, Shahapur

"Of the total 114 spans, 98 spans have been successfully completed through the self-launching method, with each span weighing 700 tonnes. However, on July 31, 2023, at 11:30 pm during the pre-launch preparations for the segment launch, a crane accident occurred between pillar No. 15-16 at a height of about 35 metres. Twenty eight workers, 4 engineers, and 7 employees were present during the accident. Of them, 10 workers, 2 engineers, and 5 employees lost their lives, and 3 suffered serious injuries.

Two injured individuals have been admitted to Jupiter Hospital, and one to the government hospital in Shahapur," MSRDC has said in a statement on Tuesday morning. By the time of going to press 20 people were declared dead. As per the MSRDC, 600-km of the 701-km long Samruddhi highway is completed and the ongoing work includes 101-km in Nashik and Thane districts.

Probe ordered

Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a high level probe. "Some labourers died in an accident in Shahapur taluka during the construction of a bridge on the Samruddhi highway which is very sad and heart-wrenching. I pay my heartfelt tribute to them. We share in the grief of their families. Three workers from this incident are undergoing treatment in hospital. I pray to God for their speedy recovery. It has been ordered to investigate the incident through experts," Fadnavis said.

Sections 304(a) (causing death by negligence), 337 (causing hurt by an act endangering life or personal safety of others), 338 (causing grievous hurt by an act endangering life or personal safety of others), and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code are the charges against the unknown local contractors of Navayuga Engineering Company Limited and local contractors of VSL India Limited. They were made based on a complaint by a 33-year-old worker, Premprakash Sav, a resident of Bihar on whose statement the police registered the FIR.

According to Sav's statement, the girder was launched with the help of a girder launching machine on the pillars by the contractors of Navayuga Engineering Company and VSL Private Limited. During the launching process, the security of the workers was compromised, and due to their negligence, the girder fell on the workers, resulting in fatalities and injuries.

Locals speak

Witnesses recounted the horror of the tragic incident. The Valse family's house is located just a few meters from the accident site. "We heard a loud thud when the launcher machine fell to the ground, and the workers screaming. I immediately called my son, and we informed the collector's office around 12 am. Help arrived in the morning around 2-3am, while the locals started providing assistance in whatever capacity they could," said Vasant Valse. "Most of the workers used to sit at my home for lunch and dinner, and I would often cook for them since the work was near our house. I feel like I have lost my own people," said Anusaya, Valse's wife.

Accidents related to the Samruddhi Marg since its inauguration

A total of 855 accidents have taken place on Samruddhi highway from January 1, 2023 to July 3, 2023. The number of deaths in road accidents is 106 from January 1, 2023 till July 3, 2023. A total of 12 accidents happened due to loss of control of vehicles in which 24 people died; 9 accidents happened due to slipping in which 16 people died; there were 6 tyre burst incidents in which 8 people died, and 1 accident due to mechanical failure in which two people died. There were 9 accidents due to tailgating in which 13 people died; 6 accidents due to over speeding in which 9 people died; 2 accidents due to rare collisions in which 4 people died; 5 accidents due to other reasons in which 5 people died and 1 accident due to fire in which 23 people died.

700 metric-tonnes
The weight of the girder that fell