Thane: Safety lapses at Metro worksite cited after pedestrian seriously injured
Thane, Sept 23: A 23-year-old man sustained severe head injuries on September 20 when a wooden plank slipped through a gap in an under-construction Metro bridge and struck him, police said on Wednesday. The incident took place near the Kashimira Naka overbridge where Metro work is underway.
Following an on-site inspection and review of CCTV footage, officials concluded that the wooden plank had been left unattended on the elevated structure after use. Investigators also found multiple safety shortcomings at the site, including unsecured construction materials and the lack of protective netting, barricades or any warning measures to restrict public access beneath the work area, the police said.
Investigators noted significant safety lapses at the site, including unsecured construction materials and the absence of required protective netting, barricades or warning measures to restrict public access beneath the work area, the police said.
The injured man was immediately admitted to hospital after the accident. The police have registered a case under Section 125(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the contractor’s storekeeper for alleged rash and negligent acts endangering human life and personal safety, officials added.
- Date of incident: September 20
- Location: Near Kashimira Naka overbridge, Thane district
- Victim: 23-year-old male, hospitalised with severe head injuries
- Legal action: Case registered under Section 125(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against contractor’s storekeeper
Construction of elevated Metro corridors in Thane has been visible across several junctions, bringing disruption but also heightened public scrutiny of safety standards where work overlaps with pedestrian routes. This incident highlights the hazards that can arise when construction materials on elevated structures are not properly secured and protective measures beneath work sites are absent.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Incident date | 20 September |
| Victim age | 23 years |
| Charge | Section 125(b), Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita |
Police said the case was lodged after they examined CCTV footage and conducted an on-site inspection. The video evidence reportedly showed the wooden plank slipping through a gap in the elevated bridge structure and hitting the pedestrian on the head.
Officials emphasised that the scene revealed clear non-compliance with basic safety protocols. The absence of protective netting or barricades not only exposed the general public to falling debris but also allowed unrestricted pedestrian movement beneath active construction zones, they said.
The registered offence under Section 125(b) addresses acts of rashness or negligence that endanger human life and personal safety. Police named the contractor’s storekeeper in the FIR, signalling an initial focus on the party responsible for storing and controlling construction materials on site.
Thane residents, especially those who walk or drive beneath Metro work stretches, may expect increased enforcement and fresh scrutiny from civic authorities and project contractors following this incident. The case registration is likely to prompt further enquiries into contractor practices and site supervision at the Kashimira Naka location.
Local civic watchers and commuters have previously raised concerns about worksite safety at busy junctions in the district. While officials have in past assured safeguards, this episode underscores the consequences when protocols are not adhered to during large infrastructure projects.
The police said the investigation is continuing and further action will follow based on findings from enquiries and any additional evidence gathered at the site or from project records.
