Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) has taken strict action against its Phase II construction contractor, Afcons Infrastructure, ordering an immediate suspension of specific high-risk works after a woman was injured during ongoing construction on the Palarivattom-Kakkanad stretch. The incident occurred on Tuesday night when an iron piece fell from the construction site onto a passing car, injuring 21-year-old Gopika, who suffered hand and thigh injuries.
Incident Details
The victim, who sought medical treatment immediately, filed a complaint with the Palarivattom police. According to her statement, the iron piece fell from atop a pillar opposite the Padivattom chapel during de-shuttering work of a deck slab.
KMRL's Response
Terming the incident 'extremely unfortunate,' KMRL management issued a memo to Afcons, directing the contractor to suspend all de-shuttering and related high-risk works until further notice. The metro authority also mandated that Afcons take full responsibility for the victim's welfare, including providing necessary medical support, logistics assistance, and financial compensation.
A KMRL spokesperson confirmed that a detailed, high-level probe will be conducted to identify procedural failures that led to the accident. Construction will only resume after road traffic is fully diverted away from active zones. 'Work will remain paused until additional safety mechanisms are thoroughly reviewed, strengthened, and fully implemented on-site,' the official stated.
Phase II Background
KMRL has accelerated construction for its Phase II 'Pink Line,' an 11.2-km corridor connecting JLN Stadium to the Infopark IT hub in Kakkanad. With a March 2027 completion deadline, the metro has ramped up production of heavy superstructure elements, including 170-tonne U-girders and pier caps, at its dedicated Kalamassery casting yard.
