Following the tragic death of a 19-year-old worker at the Sewri Worli Connector construction site, which marked the fourth fatality at infrastructure projects in just one week, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has accused contractor J Kumar of failing to report the incident. A preliminary fine of ₹1 crore has been imposed on J Kumar, with an additional ₹25 lakh penalty on the consulting firm Asystem STUP.
An MMRDA official stated, “Our safety protocols require immediate notification and escalation of any serious incidents at construction sites. We have identified significant shortcomings in safety compliance, oversight, and reporting by both the contractor and the consultancy. Consequently, we are taking strict measures to enhance accountability and prevent future occurrences.”
The incident occurred around 12:15 AM on Tuesday at Acharya Donde Marg in Parel. Ravi Giri, a worker from Nepal, was injured when a steel shutter, being moved by a hydra machine, fell on him. He suffered critical injuries and lost consciousness.
Giri was transported to KEM Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries at 3:05 AM. He had moved to Mumbai with his father, Anil Giri, and uncle, Dheeraj Kumar, in 2023, seeking work as daily wage laborers, and they resided at the labor camp on the construction site.
An FIR was filed based on Anil Giri’s complaint, naming the crane operator and the absent site supervisor for negligence under Section 106(1) of the BNS. By Tuesday evening, Giri’s body was retrieved from KEM Hospital following the postmortem examination.
Throughout this time, the MMRDA claimed to be unaware of the incident. “The authority learned of the situation only after more than 20 hours, and that was through media reports, not the required reporting protocols,” a source revealed.
When the MMRDA sought an explanation from contractor J Kumar about the incident, there were allegations of an attempt to hide the details. Attempts to reach MMRDA officials, including Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee, went unanswered.
According to MMRDA’s contractual obligations and safety standard operating procedures, contractors and project management consultants are required to report any accidents immediately. A source pointed out a significant failure in transparency regarding reporting, supervisory accountability, and adherence to safety escalation protocols.
Initial assessments indicated serious negligence on the part of the contractor regarding safety practices and reporting duties. The findings also highlighted the failure of the PMC, Asystem STUP, to fulfill its contractual responsibilities. “The PMC did not meet its essential duties related to independent safety oversight, monitoring, and prompt notification of critical incidents to the authority,” noted the source.
In light of the neglect of fundamental responsibilities, the MMRDA has enforced penalties of ₹1 crore on J Kumar and ₹25 lakh on Asystem STUP. The contractor is also expected to provide compensation to Giri’s family, although the specific amount has yet to be disclosed.
A fellow worker residing near Giri’s room in the Labor Colony expressed his shock, stating, “We learned of the incident when his father returned to their room in tears. I recognized him as a young boy working on the site. His father and uncle have since returned to their village with his body for the last rites.”
Sabah Virani is a journalist at The Indian Express, focusing on infrastructure, housing, and urban development issues. She highlights human stories within technical fields and documents the ongoing changes in the city.
Specializing in infrastructure, Sabah tracks progress on various projects in Mumbai and the surrounding metropolitan area. Her coverage includes everything from bridges to metro systems, blending technical details with insightful information.
Her primary areas of focus include the activities of the MMRDA and its various projects across the region, including metro lines, road developments, bridges, and other significant initiatives. She also monitors updates from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO), and the Maharashtra Government’s Urban Development department.
In addition to infrastructure, Sabah reports on housing developments, particularly the operations of the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) and large-scale redevelopment projects in Mumbai, such as the Dharavi Redevelopment Project and others.
Occasionally, she covers environmental issues, biodiversity, waste management, as well as arts and culture.
Before joining The Indian Express, Sabah reported on municipal issues and various civic topics for Hindustan Times and covered urban matters for the online publication Citizen Matters. She has also served as an editorial assistant at FiftyTwo.in.
