A fresh safety scare hit the under-construction Metro Line 4 on Monday after a wooden plank fell at the site — barely 10 metres from the spot where a similar incident in February claimed a life, said Mulund BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha.
Kotecha said local residents informed him that the incident occurred around 11am. A car belonging to Dr Anita Mathew, Director of Internal and Infectious Diseases at Fortis Hospital, Mulund, and a consultant at LTMMC & GH (Sion Hospital), suffered a dent, but no one was injured, said Kotecha.
MMRDA has denied any such incident happened, stating, "While a complaint has been reported, no such incident has been recorded or corroborated at the site," said an MMRDA official, adding nonetheless MMRDA has initiated a detailed investigation through the general consultant to verify the matter thoroughly. "The 3x8 feet wooden plank caused a huge dent in the car, but luckily no one was injured," said Kotecha.
Kotecha said Dr Mathew was travelling with her driver, Rajan Nair, to Fortis Hospital at the time of the incident, adding that he has lodged a complaint with the MMRDA and the local civic ward office. Kotecha demanded an FIR against the contractor and immediate termination of the contract with M/s Milan Buildtech LLC, stating it was playing with the lives of Mumbaikars. "Till the contract is terminated, MMRDA should ensure continuous 24x7 monitoring of its work," said Kotecha.
Sources said there was an eyewitness to the incident who alerted that a wooden plank fell from above the metro construction site. In February, one person was killed and three others injured after a portion of the parapet wall of the under-construction Mumbai Metro Line 4 collapsed on LBS Road in Mulund. A welder was held responsible for the accident.
In Monday's incident, the official said there is no evidence of any material falling from the viaduct, and no construction activity was underway in the mentioned stretch at the time. "Additionally, no injuries or damage have been reported. As a responsible authority, MMRDA has initiated a detailed investigation through the general consultant to verify the matter thoroughly and ensure continued adherence to the highest safety standards," said the official. Dr Mathew was not available for comment.
