NHAI in a soup after 2 labourers die on single day in Jammu
JAMMU, August 25:
Deaths of two laburers on Tuesday in the ongoing Delhi-Amritsar-Katra expressway project at Vijaypur in Samba district and Sidhra in Jammu district have put NHAI in a tight spot over safety of its workers.
In first incident of the day, a labourer from Bihar was crushed to death and another suffered injuries after a concrete bridge pier collapsed during construction work of a flyover in Samba district’s Jakh Morh.
The deceased was identified as Gotam Sahu, 25, of Bihar.
Another labourer suffered head injuries and was evacuated to a hospital.
Police have taken cognizance of the incident and initiated proceedings to ascertain the circumstances that led to the collapse.
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which has been implementing the project, issued a statement
“An unfortunate incident occurred on Tuesday at the construction site of Package-15 of the Delhi–Amritsar–Katra (DAK) Expressway near Village Jakh”, it stated.
An elevated highway with 14 spans is being built in Jammu (Raya Morh) each span is having 15 segments. Out of 14 spans, 10 spans have been launched successfully.
“The work on 11th span was in progress and during lifting of end part of the one of segment in 11th span, the same slipped from the launching machine and fell down on ground,” it added.
The bridge segments already launched in 11th span were intact. The elevated bridge spans already launched were also intact. The report regarding the collapse of bridge was false.
“However NHAI is committed to best quality standards and the actions are being taken by NHAI by sending an Expert Team at site so that during launching of segments, this kind of situation does not repeat. There is no structural failure in the bridge,” it added..
“Regrettably, one worker lost his life in the untoward incident. NHAI expresses its condolences to the bereaved family. The next of kin of the deceased worker shall be appropriately compensated as per applicable norms,” it stated.
The NHAI has provided immediate compensation Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin and assured that further ex-gratia by the state administration and under work compensation act will also be given in due course of time.
Another incident occurred during construction of the Major Bridge over River Tawi under Package-18 of the Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Expressway.
An overloaded truck hit the temporary staging/shuttering supporting the recently cast pier cap. The impact resulted in collapse of the staging and damage to the recently cast green concrete of the pier cap. The damaged pier cap did not impact any passing vehicle or passer-by.
A labourer Budhi Singh sustained serious injuries in the incident and was immediately shifted to hospital for medical treatment where he died.
The two incidents raise serious questions on the safety measures put in place for the workers and labourers.
Though NHAI has announced ex-gratia relief to the kin of Gotam Sahu, no such announcement has been made so far in favour of Budhi Singh of Ramban.
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