MMRDA Imposes ₹6 Crore Penalty After 2 Workers Die At Bhakti Park Metro 4 Construction Site

Mumbai's MMRDA has levied a substantial penalty of Rs 6 crore following a tragic accident at the Bhakti Park Metro Line 4 construction site where two workers lost their lives. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority took decisive action after a thorough investigation into the incident, which occurred on September 11.

The penalty, consisting of Rs 5 crore against contractor M/s RInfra–Astaldi JV and an additional Rs 1 crore directed at the General Consultant consortium comprising M/s DB Engineering & Consulting GmbH, Hill International Inc. and Louis Berger Consulting Pvt. Ltd., aims to underscore the utmost importance MMRDA places on safety protocols.

The fatal incident unfolded when an iron staging utilized by workers to descend from the first floor of the construction site collapsed, resulting in the untimely demise of the two workers. MMRDA's swift response and immediate imposition of penalties reflect the seriousness with which they approach such safety breaches.

In addition to the penalties, the preliminary findings of the investigation also highlighted lapses at the supervisory level of the subcontractor. This has prompted the police to register an FIR in connection with the incident, signaling that the matter is now under thorough investigation by the relevant authorities.

The Bhakti Park Metro Line 4, a 32.32-km elevated corridor connecting Wadala to Kasarvadavali, also known as the Green Line, was the site of this unfortunate event. The corridor, planned to link Mumbai and Thane, features 30 stations and is poised to enhance connectivity through links with major infrastructure projects such as the Eastern Express Highway, Central Railway, Monorail, and other Metro corridors.

This incident, which echoes a similar safety concern raised by a slab collapse at the Mulund stretch of Metro Line 4 in February, has underscored the need for stringent adherence to safety procedures. The contractor, subcontractor, and consultant involved in the Mulund incident were also part of the team working on the Bhakti Park construction, raising concerns about the consistency of safety practices across the project.