Panic gripped commuters on Mira-Bhayandar Road in Mira Road East on Monday after a portion of a metro-related slab reportedly fell onto the busy road near Sanjoli Jewellers and Thunga Hospital.
The falling structure reportedly landed close to passing traffic, raising fresh questions over the safety of motorists and pedestrians travelling through the area.
School Van Narrowly Escapes Major Damage
According to preliminary information, a school van was passing through the stretch when the slab portion fell. The structure reportedly struck the roof of the van, leaving visible damage.
A video circulating on social media shows debris scattered across the road and the damaged school van stopped nearby.
At present, it is not clear whether any students, the driver or other occupants were injured in the incident. Authorities are expected to ascertain the exact circumstances and assess the extent of the damage.
Viral Video Shows Debris On Mira-Bhayandar Road
The incident gained attention after a video showing the aftermath surfaced online. In the footage, a section of the road can be seen covered with debris, while the school van appears to have suffered damage to its roof.
The incident has caused concern among local residents and daily commuters, particularly because the road witnesses heavy traffic throughout the day.
Metro Construction Safety Under Spotlight
The reported slab fall has once again brought attention to safety arrangements around ongoing metro construction work in the Mira-Bhayandar area.
Residents and motorists are likely to seek answers on how the structure came down, whether adequate safety measures were in place and whether traffic movement had been properly protected during construction activity.
Further information regarding the cause of the collapse, the exact nature of the structure and any injuries is awaited.
Earlier Mumbai Metro Slab Collapse Had Turned Fatal
The latest incident also brings back memories of a deadly metro construction accident in Mumbai earlier this year.
On February 14, a precast concrete parapet slab weighing around 1.8 tonnes reportedly fell from an under-construction Mumbai Metro Line 4 structure on LBS Road in Mulund West. The slab landed on an autorickshaw and a car, killing one person and injuring three others.
Following that accident, authorities ordered an inquiry and action was taken against officials and the contractor over alleged safety lapses.
The Mulund incident had highlighted the serious consequences that construction-related failures can have on people travelling below elevated infrastructure.
The Mira Road incident has therefore raised renewed concerns about the safety of commuters around metro construction zones. However, authorities are yet to establish the exact reason behind Monday’s slab fall or confirm whether any safety violation occurred.
As Per Clarification: Granite Stones Did Not Hit School Van, No Injuries Reported
A clarification has been issued regarding the incident at Medetiya Nagar Station of Metro Line 9 in Mira Road, stating that the granite stones did not fall on or directly hit any school van or bus.
What Happened at the Metro Site?
As per the clarification, the incident took place at around 11:50 am during ongoing debris-removal and material-shifting work at the Metro Line 9 station.
A material basket being operated by a crane accidentally came into contact with granite stones stacked near the FOB area. Following the impact, some of the stones fell from the FOB level into the barricaded work area.
Some pieces of granite subsequently scattered in the surrounding area. A vehicle passing through the vicinity reportedly ran over the scattered pieces, resulting in punctured tyres.
No Students Were Present, No Injuries Reported
The clarification states that no students were present in the vehicle and no injuries were reported in connection with the incident.
It also clarifies that the granite stones did not directly fall on or strike the school van or bus.
MMRDA Imposes ₹12.5 Crore in Penalties
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has taken serious note of the safety lapse and initiated action against the agencies involved.
The penalties imposed are:
- J. Kumar Infraprojects Ltd. (JKIL), Contractor: ₹10 crore
- Gajanan: ₹1.5 crore
- Systra-CEG-General Consultant: ₹1 crore
The total penalties amount to ₹12.5 crore.
Agencies Told to Strengthen Safety Measures
MMRDA has directed all concerned agencies to strictly follow the prescribed safety protocols and implement necessary corrective measures to prevent a recurrence.
The clarification confirms that there were no injuries, no students were present in the vehicle, and the granite stones did not directly hit the school van or bus.
