A tragic accident at the Patna Metro construction site late Monday night has left two workers dead and several others injured, casting a somber shadow over one of Bihar’s largest urban infrastructure projects. The incident, which occurred at the tunnel site near NIT Mode along Ashok Rajpath, saw heavy construction machinery malfunction, causing a soil collapse that buried multiple workers. The accident has raised urgent questions about worker safety and equipment reliability at the sprawling construction site, with government officials promising rigorous investigations.

Metro construction accident kills two, injures several

Reports indicate that the accident began with a sudden failure in an excavation machine’s braking system, resulting in a loss of control and the overturning of equipment. This led to an immediate soil collapse in the active tunnel construction zone, trapping seven workers. Emergency crews were dispatched swiftly, with injured workers transported to a private hospital. Sadly, two workers—identified as migrant laborers from Odisha—lost their lives shortly after the incident, underscoring the vulnerabilities of a workforce drawn from regions across India.

Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha expressed sorrow over the tragic event, describing it as “unfortunate” and vowed that the state government would look into the circumstances leading up to the incident. Sinha emphasized the government’s commitment to worker safety and pledged appropriate compensation for the families of the deceased workers. Meanwhile, Odisha’s Labour Minister has also extended condolences, promising assistance for the affected families.

Safety measures questioned as Patna Metro project moves ahead

The Patna Metro project, jointly undertaken by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, has been progressing swiftly, with services planned to begin by 2025. It comprises two primary corridors: the Danapur to Khemnichak line and the Patna Station to New ISBT route. However, the project’s rapid timeline may have compromised critical safety standards, suggest safety experts who cite the pressure to meet tight schedules as a common risk factor in large-scale infrastructure projects.

An expert in metro construction safety explained that soil stability and equipment reliability are paramount in tunnel construction. He noted that heavy machinery used in underground construction requires regular safety inspections and real-time monitoring to prevent malfunctions, especially in densely populated urban settings. He added that the sheer size of these machines makes breakdowns catastrophic, resulting in tragedies like this one.

Worker safety advocacy demands stricter standards

Following the incident, worker advocacy groups have reiterated the importance of adopting rigorous safety protocols in all high-risk construction projects, particularly in infrastructure. They call for mandatory audits of heavy machinery and enhanced protective measures for workers in high-risk roles. Labour unions representing construction workers have echoed these sentiments, urging government authorities and corporate stakeholders to implement stricter standards to protect the lives of the individuals building these essential projects.

The Patna Metro project represents a crucial advancement for Bihar’s urban mobility, promising to alleviate severe traffic congestion and improve connectivity in Patna. However, tragedies like this highlight the human cost of such development and underscore the need for improved safety measures. Investigations into the cause of this accident are ongoing, with officials and contractors facing mounting pressure to ensure that no further lives are endangered as the project progresses.

  Bihar, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, NIT Mode, Odisha, Patna Metro, Vijay Sinha