A tragic accident during the construction of an underground tunnel for the Patna Metro resulted in the deaths of three workers and left four others seriously injured late Monday night near the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Mor on Ashok Rajpath.
Reports indicate that the incident occurred when a loco machine, used for transporting materials within the tunnel, suffered a brake failure. The malfunction caused several workers to be caught in the path of the locomotive.
Seven workers were impacted by the machine, resulting in the immediate death of one worker at the scene. The injured were promptly rescued and rushed to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), where two additional workers later succumbed to their injuries.
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The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), which oversees the construction project, confirmed the incident and has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the brake failure. According to DMRC officials, the deceased included a TVM operator, a loco machine operator, and a helper.
DMRC Public Relations Officer Monisa Dubey stated that the accident occurred around 10 p.m. and emphasized that the injured workers received immediate medical attention at PMCH. The investigation aims to uncover the factors leading to the brake failure, and preliminary reports suggest a lack of engineering oversight during the late-night shift, as no engineers were present at the time.
Workers at the site expressed their discontent over the incident, leading to protests. Police were dispatched to manage the situation and restore order.
All victims were contract employees from Odisha, working on the Patna Metro project, which is a significant initiative championed by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. This incident marks the first major accident in the project’s construction.
