By rosebell
Following that a soil excavation machine suffered a brake failure, leading to its overturning and trapping workers underneath, on 28 October an accident at the tunnel construction site of the Patna Metro project in the eastern Indian state of Bihar claimed the lives of two workers, leaving several others injured.
Local authorities reported that seven individuals were directly impacted, with five currently receiving medical attention at a nearby hospital.
As the initial investigations by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) indicated, the mechanical issues in the heavy machinery,was the reason of this accident, highlighting safety concerns among the workforce.
With the aim of transform the city’s transport infrastructure, the Patna Metro project remains in progress, whereas 2025 is the scheduled date for commencing the service. This development aims to link key areas, including Ashok Path and Gangapath, via two major metro corridors.
Considering importance of this accident, both local authorities and DMRC officials are expected to review existing safety measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The incident has sparked discussions about the occupational hazards associated with large infrastructure projects, reinforcing the necessity of enhanced worker safety practices.
In order to constructing almost 8km of underground pathways, stretching from Gandhi Maidan to key transit hubs, the Patna Metro project has been using advanced tunnel boring machines.
Including the recently completed segment between Moin Ul Haq Stadium and Patna University Station, the intended TBM involved a sequence that has seen significant breakthroughs in the current year. This phase is said to have represented one of the most challenging portions of the project due to the densely populated areas and historic structures along the tunnel’s route.
Additionally, a significant landmark was recorded in its Phase 2 of Chennai Metro Rail, another Indian metro rail project, earlier this month. Being commissioned in January this year, TBM Palar successfully reached the Sterling Road shaft after completing its upline drive from Chetpet on Corridor 3, while TBM Siruvani, which is its twin had previously broken through in August after finishing the downline bore. Each tunnel measures 708m in length.
