PMC warns contractors of work stoppage if safety lapses during Diwali holidays

Contractors who put the lives of citizens and workers at risk in the name of maintaining the pace of work during the Diwali holidays will no longer be spared. The Pune Municipal Corporation has issued a stern warning to contractors over construction work under way in the city. The City Engineer's office has issued clear instructions on the matter.

According to the corporation, work will not be allowed to continue where there are not enough workers, skilled staff and necessary equipment and material. Contractors who ignore safety rules will face strict action under the terms of their contracts.

Besides the corporation, private construction companies and builders are also carrying out infrastructure work in the city, including roads, bridges and buildings. At such sites, open pits, excavated stretches, incomplete roads and construction material lying around keep up the risk of accidents for people. During the Diwali holidays the number of workers falls and necessary equipment is also not available, which increases the risk further.

It has been said that accidents occurred at some construction sites during last year's holidays because adequate equipment and material were not available. To prevent a repeat, the corporation has taken a firm stand on safety arrangements this time. Where work continues during the holidays, there must be enough skilled and unskilled workers. If necessary material, machinery and technical staff are not present, work will not be allowed to continue. Strong barricading must be put up around pits dug on roads, drains and hazardous spots.

Responsibility for following the safety rules has been given to the junior engineers and deputy engineers of the area concerned. Before the Diwali holidays begin, all engineers must inspect the construction sites in their areas. They must then fill in and submit the safety compliance checklist prescribed in Appendix A. Work at sites without adequate safety arrangements will be stopped immediately.

City Engineer Aniruddha Pawaskar has made it clear that there will be no compromise on the safety of citizens and workers under pressure to finish work on time. If a violation of safety rules or negligence is found, responsibility will be fixed on the contractor concerned, who will face strict action under the terms of the contract. The corporation's stand has increased accountability at construction sites.

Contractors will also be responsible for providing workers on site with helmets, safety shoes, safety belts and reflective jackets. Workers cannot be made to work without safety equipment. Ignoring safety rules merely in a hurry to finish work quickly will not be tolerated.