Cement block falls from metro bridge in Mira-Bhayandar, youth critical

A major accident occurred under a metro bridge in the Kashimira area of Mira-Bhayandar when a heavy cement block suddenly fell from the bridge and struck a 23-year-old man named Shadab on the head. He suffered a serious head injury and is currently being treated at Wockhardt Hospital in Mira Road. The incident has once again raised questions about people's safety during the construction of metro and elevated bridges.

According to the information received, the accident took place in front of Akshit Restaurant in the Kashimira area. Shadab was crossing the road when his phone rang and he stopped in the middle of the road to take the call. At that moment, a large cement block suddenly fell from atop the metro bridge and landed directly on his head. Shadab was seriously injured and fell onto the road. He is reported to have suffered a severe head injury.

After the accident, Shadab lay injured on the road for a long time. Because large vehicles were parked along the roadside, no one noticed him for a while. About an hour later, a passerby spotted him, after which he was rushed to Wockhardt Hospital in Mira Road in an auto-rickshaw. He is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital, and it has been reported that he will need surgery. Shadab's family has filed a police complaint in the matter.

Work on both the metro bridge and an elevated bridge is under way at the site. Local residents say that during this construction work, there have been previous incidents of iron rods, metal objects and other construction material falling. According to residents, about a month ago iron objects fell near a school van, though the children inside were not injured at the time. With a cement block from the construction work now falling directly on a young man's head, questions are being raised over safety measures.

The accident has raised the question of exactly what arrangements have been made for public safety at the metro and elevated bridge construction site. There are demands for an inquiry into whether the safety nets, barricades and monitoring at the site are adequate.

Meanwhile, MNS city chief Sandeep Rane has targeted the MMRDA over the incident. He alleged that such incidents are recurring during the construction work and demanded that the MMRDA take suo motu cognizance of the matter and act. He warned that if no action is taken, he would launch an agitation at the officials' office.

Following the accident, attention now turns to how the concerned authority implements safety measures at the construction site and what legal action follows in the matter.