Tragedy Strikes as 15 Workers Killed in Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway Construction Mishap

The Incident and Rescue Efforts
Late on Monday night, a devastating accident occurred at Shahapur during the construction of the Mumbai-Nagpur Super Communication Samruddhi Expressway, claiming the lives of at least 15 construction workers. Tragically, it is feared that up to 6 more laborers and engineers remain trapped under the debris. The incident happened around 11 pm during the girder launching work for a bridge that forms part of the 701 km long Expressway.

The Aftermath and Ongoing Investigations
The under-construction bridge near Sarlambe village collapsed when a heavy girder launching machine, weighing several hundred tonnes, gave way, leading to the horrifying accident that crushed the workers involved in the construction. Authorities and rescue teams immediately rushed to the scene to begin the challenging task of locating and retrieving the victims. As of now, 15 bodies have been recovered, and three injured individuals have been taken to a local hospital in Shahapur for treatment.

The Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway, a significant infrastructure project, is meant to span 701 km and improve communication and connectivity between Mumbai and Nagpur. While 600 km of the Expressway, stretching from Bharvir near Igatpuri to Nagpur, has already been opened for public use, the remaining 101 km up to Thane was scheduled for completion by the end of 2023. The original plan aimed to hold a political inauguration event before the Lok Sabha elections, slated for the first half of 2024.

As rescue efforts continue at the accident site, authorities are conducting investigations to understand the cause of the girder machine's collapse. This tragic incident has raised concerns about worker safety and the need for stringent safety measures in such large-scale construction projects. The loss of lives and injuries have deeply affected the families of the deceased and the construction community at large. It highlights the significance of ensuring worker protection and adherence to safety protocols in all infrastructure development endeavors.

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