Premprakash Sav clearly mentioned lapses in safety measures on the part of the local contractor, Navayuga Engineering Company Limited, and VSL India Limited, which is executing the project, due to which the incident occurred.
The incident killed 20 people and injured three after a launcher and girder, weighing 1,950 tons, collapsed from 115ft during construction of a bridge on the Samruddhi Expressway.
An offence was registered under section 304-A (causing death by negligence) along with section 337 (causing hurt by an act endangering life or personal safety of others), 338 (causing grievous hurt by an act endangering life or personal safety of others), and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. The maximum of punishment for these offences is two years imprisonment and fine or both.
Sav, who was part of the team at work, gave a detailed account of how the accident took place. At around 11pm on Monday, there was a major sparking episode on the pole supplying power to the girder launcher. Soon after, the launcher and the girder it was launching collapsed along with the workers on it and several below.
The state government has promised a detailed inquiry into the mishap. Pravin Pawar, IGP, Konkan, told TOI: “The investigation has begun and our teams have started recording statements. It is more of a technical probe and private technical experts will be roped in to conduct further investigations. The company officials will also be summoned as the probe progresses.”
The police said the bodies of all the deceased in Monday’s incident have been sent to their native places for final rites. The three injured are recuperating and are out of danger.
