MMRDA Initiates Urgent Safety Audit on Mumbai Metro 4 Corridor Following Deadly Incident
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has mandated an immediate and comprehensive safety inspection across the entire Wadala–Kasarvadavali Metro 4 corridor. This decisive action comes in response to a tragic accident on Saturday, where a precast parapet segment from an under-construction viaduct collapsed onto LBS Road in Mulund. The falling debris struck an autorickshaw and a car, resulting in the death of a 50-year-old man and injuries to three other individuals.
Preliminary Findings Point to Negligence and Oversight Failures
Initial investigations indicate that the parapet, installed on the night of February 12, was not adequately concretized. Its temporary fastening may have been compromised during handling, leading to the dislodgment. MMRDA has attributed the incident to prima facie negligence by the contractor, RAJV-Milan Infra, and its sub-contractor, coupled with insufficient supervision from the project's general consultant, the DB-Hill-LBG consortium. A detailed probe is now underway to pinpoint the exact causes and assign responsibility. In a swift move, MMRDA has suspended an executive engineer connected to the project.
Legal Actions and Arrests Following the Fatal Collapse
On Sunday, five individuals from RAJV-Milan Infra and the DB-Hill-LBG consortium were arrested and remanded to three-day police custody by the Dadar holiday court. The Mulund police are actively searching for two additional persons: a welder and a project consultant. Authorities noted that no prior notifications were issued to the police, traffic department, or BMC, and adequate safety measures were lacking at the construction site, despite previous public complaints. An FIR has been registered against project officials under relevant sections of the BNS for negligence resulting in death, grievous injuries, and property damage.
Scope and Structure of the Intensive Safety Inspection
In an office order issued by Additional Metropolitan Commissioner Ashwin Mudgal, MMRDA described the inspection as an "extraordinary preventive and corrective measure." Unlike routine probes limited to the accident site, this audit will cover the full 20-kilometer corridor to identify systemic risks in design, execution, and supervision. The inspection, expected to last three to four days, will involve day-wise documentation of unsafe conditions and implemented corrective actions.
A multi-disciplinary team, led by Basavraj M. Bhadragond, Director (Projects) at MMRDA, has been formed. This team includes senior engineers specializing in quality, design, and construction supervision, along with external safety heads from other Metro lines who will provide independent observations. The corridor has been divided into two stretches for parallel verification: Wadala to Sonapur under Deputy Team Leader Abhijit Bhishikar, and Sonapur to Gaimukh under Deputy Team Leader Madhukar Kharat.
Key Focus Areas and Immediate Corrective Powers
The audit will meticulously examine various structural and safety components, including:
- Parapets, edge beams, and crash barriers
- Structural elements positioned above live traffic corridors
- Reinforcement detailing and anchorage systems
- Temporary supports and debris protection measures
- Barricading arrangements and compliance with approved drawings
Significantly, the inspection team has been empowered to act immediately. Any element found unsafe or non-compliant must be secured, removed, or rectified on the spot, without awaiting the final report. Construction activities at such locations can be restricted or suspended until written clearance is formally granted.
Contractor and Consultant Accountability Mandated
Contractors, consultants, and supervision staff have been directed to provide unrestricted site access and produce all necessary documents, including drawings, method statements, and quality assurance records. Any lapses in compliance, supervision, or execution will be meticulously recorded, with responsibility attributed for subsequent action under contract provisions.
A consolidated report, recommending preventive steps and advising on the resumption or continuation of works, will be submitted to the competent authority on a priority basis. This proactive approach aims to prevent future incidents and ensure the highest safety standards are maintained throughout the Metro 4 project's construction phase.
