A tragic accident at a construction site in Ahmedabad claimed the lives of two migrant labourers and left a third critically injured on Thursday morning. The incident, caused by the collapse of a wooden platform, has exposed severe lapses in safety protocols.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The accident occurred in the Ambawadi area where three workers were labouring on the fourth floor of an under-construction building. The wooden platform, part of the scaffolding, suddenly gave way, causing all three men to plunge from a significant height. The Ellisbridge police, who registered a case of accidental death, confirmed the sequence of events.
The deceased have been identified as Devilal Gamar, 48, from Udaipur, and Shantilal Meena, 30, from Dungarpur. Both succumbed to severe injuries on the spot. The injured labourer, Dhiraj Dabhi, 30, a resident of Banswara district, was initially rushed to a city hospital by fellow workers and later shifted to Sola Civil Hospital for advanced treatment.
Investigation Reveals Gross Safety Negligence
A preliminary probe by the Ellisbridge police pointed to shocking negligence. Inspector K M Bhuva stated that neither the labour contractor nor the developer provided basic safety equipment such as helmets, harnesses, or any other protective gear to the workers. This failure is believed to have directly contributed to the fatalities.
Police sources also indicated there were alleged attempts to suppress the incident. Authorities were only informed after the deaths were confirmed at Sola Civil Hospital. A medico-legal case was registered when the injured labourer was admitted. Notably, the Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services confirmed they received no alert about the accident, contrary to standard procedure.
Legal Action and Ongoing Probe
The Ellisbridge police have launched a detailed investigation to fix responsibility. Statements from the contractor, site supervisor, and developer will be recorded. Further legal action will be initiated based on the findings. The case highlights the persistent issue of worker safety in India's booming construction sector, especially for migrant labourers.
This tragedy in Ambawadi serves as a grim reminder of the human cost when safety regulations are ignored for expediency at construction sites across Indian cities.
