Two Labourers From Odisha Die, Another Injured In Patna Metro Tunnel Construction Site Accident

Patna: Two labourers from Odisha, were killed and at least eight others, including an Odisha native, sustained injuries after the brakes of a loco pickup failed at the Patna Metro construction site on Monday night, reports claimed.

The incident took place when a loaded loco pickup became inoperable and ran over several workers, said an official, as quoted by the Hindustan Times. According to officials, the toll could have been much higher had the mishap happened during daytime. At the time of the accident, about 25 workers were on-site. It had been alleged that supervisors were not being available during night shifts.

“This is very unfortunate. I just received the news, and the Odisha government will give them compensation…We will talk to the Bihar government,” Odisha Labour Minister, Ganesh Ram Khuntia, told ANI.

Alleging inadequate safety measures at the construction sites, workers expressed anger. “Around 10pm, due to a mechanical failure one person died on the spot, while the second person died at a nearby hospital. Further investigation is underway,” Patna Metro PRO Monisha Dubey said, as quoted by Hindustan Times.

According to reports, Patna DM Chandrasekhar told reporters that two workers, including a pilot, were killed while another one was critical. Five victims were undergoing treatment at the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), he added.

“The accident took place at the underground Metro site between Patna University and PMCH. Both the victims are from Odisha and they will be provided ex-gratia as per norms,” he said.

The workers alleged that it took more than an hour for the news about the accident to reach the authorities. The police reportedly arrived around midnight to begin rescue operations.

Meanwhile, the DM said that an investigation would be carried out to check if safety standards were adhered to and a three-member committee under the ADM (law and order) was formed, the Hindustan Times report stated. Police probe is underway.