Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai, August 1: The girder launching machine that was being used in Thane to build Phase III of the Samruddhi Express Highway crashed, killing at least 17 persons and injuring three others. The mishap occurred early on Tuesday morning.
The accident happened on Tuesday just after midnight close to Sarlambe village in Shahapur tehsil, about 80 km from Mumbai, according to the official.
At the time of the disaster, work was being done to build a bridge close to Sarlambe village in Thane. Apart from the deceased, there are a number of other people who might be trapped under the debris.
The significant accident occurred as a result of the crane and slab connecting the girder machine falling from a height of 100 feet. The injured people and the deceased remains were transferred to a nearby hospital.
Maharashtra minister Ravindra Chavhan has said, “17 people died, in which there were six engineers and three people have been hospitalised. Soon an enquiry will be initiated and will try to find out why this accident happened.”
Police personnel, NDRF personnel and fire officials are engaged in rescue and relief work. It is feared that the death toll may rise. The death toll might increase, it is feared.
Precast box girders are installed using the machine in high-speed rail and highway bridge construction projects.
The Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg, often known as the Samruddhi Mahamarg, is a 701-km-long expressway that connects Mumbai and Nagpur.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on Tuesday for the deaths caused by the unfortunate accident in Shahapur, Maharashtra. He also announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh for each deceased person’s next of kin and a payment of Rs 50,000 for those who were injured.
The Prime Minister’s Office in a tweet said, “Pained by the tragic mishap in Shahapur, Maharashtra. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are injured. NDRF and local administration are working at the site of the mishap and all possible measures are being taken to ensure proper assistance to those affected.”
Pained by the tragic mishap in Shahapur, Maharashtra. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are injured. NDRF and local administration are working at the site of the mishap and all possible measures are…
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 1, 2023
