‘Big spark’ in electricity pole preceded collapse of girder launcher that killed 20 people in Maharashtra, says FIR
The Hindu
Spark in electric pole caused collapse of girder launcher in Thane, killing 20 & injuring 3. Police registered an FIR against Navayuga Engineering Co. for negligence. Probe ordered by Maharashtra govt. Samruddhi Expressway connects Mumbai & Nagpur, 600 km stretch open for traffic.
A “big spark” in the electricity pole providing power to the girder launcher preceded its collapse during the construction of a viaduct for the Samruddhi Expressway in Maharashtra’s Thane district a day ago, in which at least 20 persons were killed, police said on August 2.
The incident occurred sometime after July 31 midnight at Sarlambe village in Shahapur tehsil, around 80 km from Mumbai, they said.
Hours later, the police registered an offence against Navayuga Engineering company in connection with the incident in which 20 persons, including 10 labourers, were crushed to death and three others injured, an official said.
The girder launcher along with a segment launcher (crane), weighing 700 tons, came crashing down from a height of 35 metres, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) earlier said.
The incident occurred during the construction of a 2.28 km-long viaduct by Navayuga Engineering and VSL India Private Limited, Singapore, it said.
One of the injured labourers, identified as 33-year-old Premprakash Ayoddha, lodged a complaint in this connection.
The complainant works for VSL Pvt Ltd company, which was given the sub-contract by Navayuga Engineering company for the girder launcher, police said.