Bombay High Court has demanded the immediate implementation of expert safety guidelines across Maharashtra, following a distressing incident in Bhiwandi where an iron rod from a Metro bridge under construction pierced an autorickshaw passenger’s head. The court linked the tragedy to lax safety norms and urged rapid corrective action by civic and urban planning authorities.
On 5 August, a long tie rod unexpectedly fell from the under‑construction Metro Line 5 (Thane‑Bhiwandi‑Kalyan corridor) and critically injured a 20-year-old autorickshaw passenger. Preliminary inquiries have identified potential negligence by project contractors and supervisory consultants. Notably, the High Court had previously revisited a 2023 petition by a housing society in Lokhandwala, following a fatal accident where a cement block fell from the 52nd floor of a nearby construction. That incident had prompted the establishment of an expert committee comprising architects, structural engineers, and technical officers to devise strict safety norms for high-rise construction sites.
The court lamented that its earlier directions had not been implemented statewide. Justices Kulkarni and Doctor stated that unrestricted access under construction zones constitutes a direct violation of public safety—and by extension, citizens’ fundamental rights. During Thursday’s hearing, the bench pressed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to submit the expert committee’s guidelines formally. These are expected to be circulated by the state’s Urban Development Department to all planning authorities across Maharashtra for robust enforcement.
Calling for action in the larger public interest, the court scheduled a follow‑up hearing for 12 August to ensure compliance and transparency in dissemination of. This development adds to widespread concern over inadequate safety at construction sites. Infrastructure expert voices have already been raised after a rod fell on a car bonnet near Kapurbawdi Junction in Thane—underscoring a pattern of repeated safety lapses.
As Mumbai pushes for urban expansion and transit modernisation, the High Court’s directive serves as a reminder that sustainability must also encompass civic safety. Truly equitable and resilient cities must safeguard the well‑being of all inhabitants, regardless of the pace of development.
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