Metro 4 disaster: Reliance Infrastructure faces ₹5 crore fine, 5 arrested for safety lapses

Mumbai: On Saturday afternoon, a parapet segment of the elevated Metro 4 corridor under construction on LBS Road, Mulund West, collapsed onto passing vehicles. The accident killed 46-year-old Ramdhani Yadav, who was sitting in the back of an autorickshaw. The autorickshaw driver, Rajkumar Yadav (45), sustained critical injuries and is currently admitted to an intensive care unit. Two other occupants—Mahendra Pratap Yadav (52) and car driver Deepa Ruhiya (40)—sustained injuries, though their condition is stable, officials said.

Following the incident, five individuals were arrested in connection with the collapse. Four executives of sub-contractor Milan Road Buildtech LLP—project director Harish Chauhan, project manager Kuldeep Sapkal, deputy project manager Saurab Singh, and supervisor Prashant Bhoir—were taken into custody, along with Hill International Inc project manager Avdhoot Inamdar. The arrests aim to hold those directly responsible for on-site construction and supervision accountable.

Multi-crore fines imposed

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) imposed a ₹5 crore fine on contractor Reliance Infrastructure-Astaldi and sub-contractor Milan Road Buildtech LLP. Additionally, the consulting consortium DB Hill LBG, which provided project oversight, was fined ₹1 crore. Construction at the affected stretch has been temporarily halted, and a high-level inquiry committee has been established to investigate the collapse.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described the accident as “very unfortunate” and announced that the family of the deceased would receive ₹5 lakh as financial assistance. He also stated that the government and MMRDA will cover all medical expenses for the injured. As a preventive measure, a safety audit of other ongoing construction sites across the city has been ordered immediately.

Investigation underway

The MMRDA has set up a high-level inquiry committee to examine construction methodology, quality control systems, supervision mechanisms, compliance by contractors, and third-party oversight processes. Preliminary findings have already led to a temporary halt in construction at the site. Executive engineer Satyajeet Salve has been suspended pending the outcome of the probe.

Mulund BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha alleged that standard operating procedures (SOPs) were not being followed, which contributed to the mishap. He stated that during a joint inspection of the LBS Road stretch last month, officials documented serious negligence at over 55 locations with GIS-tagged photographs. Kotecha had formally requested action against the contractor, including blacklisting and suspension, though MMRDA officials have not responded to these claims.

The tragedy has reignited concerns over construction safety in Mumbai’s metro network. Questions are being raised about contractor negligence, oversight lapses, and adherence to safety norms. The MMRDA and state government face increasing pressure to ensure stricter enforcement of protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.