CivilEngineeringSafety TunnelConstruction DelhiMumbaiExpressway

Delhi-Mumbai Expressway Tragedy: Fatal Tunnel Collapse Sparks Investigation

*The incident occurred while workers were assembled for a briefing at the construction site. Source: India Today*

Tragedy struck on Saturday when a worker lost their life following a partial collapse at an under-construction tunnel on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Rajasthan's Kota district. Three other workers sustained injuries when a median side vertical wall in a cut-and-cover section unexpectedly collapsed during reinforcement binding activities.

Incident Details and Immediate Actions

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) reported that the wall was stabilized with shotcrete and rock bolts per the approved design. Despite these measures, the collapse occurred while workers were performing tasks with proper personal protective equipment (PPE). Swift rescue efforts led to the retrieval of four workers from the debris; however, one worker succumbed to injuries.

Accountability and Investigation

In response to the incident, a penalty of ₹50 lakhs (approximately $64,300) was imposed on the contractor of the project. Additionally, a Show Cause Notice was issued to the authority engineer's team leader for lapses in safety measures. An investigative team is visiting the site to ascertain the root cause and ensure preventive measures for future safety.

The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, spanning 1,390 kilometers, aims to connect India’s two largest cities. Some sections of this ambitious eight-lane infrastructure project are already operational.

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