A concrete segment fell during the ongoing Phase-II construction of the Nagpur Metro near Wanadongri on Hingna Road at around 7.30 pm on March 13. Fortunately, no body was injured as the incident occurred when traffic on the road was relatively thin. According to Maha Metro, the incident occurred during a segment lifting operation being carried out at Reach-3A near Wanadongri. The work involved installing a precast concrete segment using a Launching Girder deployed by contractor M/s Kalpataru. Metro officials stated that while lifting the segment, a technical snag developed in the left-hand side (LHS) winch of the Launching Girder.

 

The inbuilt safety alarm system was immediately triggered, alerting engineers and staff present at the site. Following the alarm, officials initiated corrective measures as per the established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The segment was then safely repositioned within the barricaded construction zone and trained engineers began a controlled lowering process from a height of approximately six metres.

 

The segment was gradually brought down to about two metres above the ground level. However, during the process, the wire rope of the LHS winch suddenly snapped, causing the segment to fall. Metro authorities said, the construction area had already been properly barricaded and the lowering operation was being carried out under supervision, which prevented any casualties. Due to the timely activation of safety systems and prompt action by trained personnel, no workers or passers-by were injured in the incident.

 

Maha Metro officials reiterated that all construction activities are carried out under strict safety supervision and according to established operational protocols. They added that the exact cause of the technical snag and the snapping of the wire rope is being investigated. However, this is not the first time that a structural element has collapsed during metro construction work in the city. During the initial phase of the Nagpur Metro project, a steel reinforcement cage of a metro pillar reportedly collapsed near Munje Square in Sitabuldi, triggering panic among nearby residents and commuters.

 

In another incident during the early stages of metro construction, heavy equipment and structural components had fallen at project sites in the city, raising questions about safety management at elevated construction zones. Although most such incidents have not resulted in major casualties, repeated mishaps during metro construction have led to concerns among citizens regarding safety standards and monitoring at infrastructure project sites across the city. Authorities maintain that strict safety protocols are followed, while investigations are carried out whenever such incidents occur.