In a tragic incident, at least 20 workers died after a crane fell on them during construction of the third phase of Samruddhi Expressway in Maharashtra’s Thane district on Tuesday. According to police, the machine is a special-purpose mobile gantry crane used in bridge construction.
PM Modi expresses condolences
"Pained by the tragic mishap in Shahapur, Maharashtra. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are injured. NDRF and local administration are working at the site of the mishap and all possible measures are being taken to ensure proper assistance to those affected. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF will be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000," tweeted PMO.
Ex-gratia announced
"The unfortunate accident of crane collapse at midnight on Samrudhi Highway at Shahapur Sarlambe is very unfortunate and saddening. So far 17 people have died in this accident. An aid of Rs 5 lakh each has been announced to the families of the deceased workers and instructions have been given to provide proper treatment to the injured immediately at government expense," Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde tweeted.
"Till now 16 dead bodies have been retrieved and 3 have been injured. Another six are feared to be trapped inside the collapsed structure," said NDRF official.
Fadnavis orders probe
"In Shahapur taluka, some laborers died in an accident during the construction of a bridge on Samriddhi highway which is very sad and heart-wrenching. I pay my heartfelt tribute to him. We share in the grief of their families. 3 workers were injured in this incident. He is undergoing treatment in the hospital. I pray to God for a speedy recovery in his health. We ordered to investigate the incident through experts," Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tweeted.
It is used to install precast box girders in highway and high-speed rail bridge construction projects.
The accident took place in early hours on Tuesday near Sarlambe village in Shahpur tehsil, an official said.
Soon after the news of the tragic incident spread, the police and the fire brigade personnel along with local agencies rushed to the spot and started a rescue operation.
The death toll is likely to rise as several other were also injured.
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation has been carrying out the construction of the Samruddhi Mahamarg.
The first phase, connecting Nagpur to the temple town of Shirdi, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2022. It covers a distance of 520 km.
What is Samruddhi Mahamarg Expressway?
The Samruddhi Mahamarg, named Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg, is a 701-km-long expressway connecting Mumbai and Nagpur. It traverses ten districts including Nagpur, Washim, Wardha, Ahmednagar, Buldhana, Aurangabad, Amravati, Jalna, Nashik, and Thane.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said in May that the third and last phase would be completed by the end of December this year.
(With PTI inputs)
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