Two Workers Killed in Gantry Collapse, BMC Orders High-Level Probe

Two labourers were killed after a gantry crane platform collapsed at the under-construction Dahisar-Bhayander Link Road (DBLR) project site in Thane district on Saturday, raising concerns over construction safety practices.

The incident occurred around 12:30 PM in Bhayander (West), where workers were engaged on a coastal girders platform used for handling heavy structural components. According to police, the platform suddenly gave way, leaving two workers Raghunath Das (38) and Kana Singh (45) critically injured. They were rushed to a nearby hospital but were declared dead on arrival.

The Bhayander police have registered a case of accidental death , and an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the collapse , including the possibility of mechanical failure or negligence .

Responding to the incident, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) ordered an immediate probe . In a statement, the civic body said an expert committee from Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI) has been tasked with conducting a detailed, fact-based inquiry and submitting its report at the earliest.

The probe will examine whether standard operating procedures (SOPs) and worker safety norms were followed at the site. The BMC reiterated its “zero tolerance” stance on safety violations , warning of strict penal action if negligence is established.

As part of corrective steps, the civic body announced third-party safety inspections of cranes and heavy machinery, along with regular safety audits across project sites. Contractors under the broader Versova-Bhayander coastal road project will also be required to implement enhanced workplace safety systems , with an independent agency set to oversee compliance.

The DBLR project , aimed at improving connectivity between Dahisar (West) and Bhayander (West), has come under scrutiny following the incident.