A police constable was killed after a heavy piling rig toppled on him at an under-construction flyover site in Mumbai. The accident occurred on the northbound carriageway of the Sion-Panvel Highway in Mankhurd at night, when the constable was heading home on his motorcycle. Human life cannot be so cheap that this is dismissed as yet another unfortunate, under-construction accident.
This is a huge tragedy; it should evoke outrage and action. At least three-fourths of the megapolis is witnessing construction work, which includes the redevelopment of buildings and rapid public infra, including some repair work. Every site needs to be secured. A safety inspection of whether it can take machines has to be done before heavy machinery is placed on that ground.
The contractor needs to have enough expertise, manpower, checks and counter checks while on the ground. There has to be a perimeter or barriers so that machinery cannot fall from flyovers, from heights or elsewhere. Traffic and people will be walking close to construction work, below it, given the crowds in this city. Now, are Mumbaikars supposed to wear helmets and full body armour while on the road?
What are these investigations that have happened after any incidents? We never hear of any findings. Now, do we see an uptick in safety or more precautions taken at different places? This city has become hazardous to walk or commute in. It is so shameful that the financial capital of India, this advanced city, sees mishaps like these, and there is no improvement or answers.