J&K: Two workers killed in separate NHAI construction site accidents
Two workers died in two separate accidents at National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) construction sites in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba and Jammu districts on Tuesday. The deceased have been identified as Gotam Sahu, 25, from Bihar, and Budhi Singh, 45, from Ramban.
The first incident occurred in Jakh village of Samba district, where workers were laying the pier of a bridge on the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra project. According to NHAI Project Director Rajiv Kumar, a concrete structure collapsed suddenly, killing Sahu on the spot. Another worker, also from Bihar, sustained injuries and was attended to at the site.
Officials said that Sahu's wife has been provided an immediate relief of Rs 5 lakh from the contractor and an equal amount from the state administration. An additional Rs 5 lakh is to be credited to her account, the officials added.
In a similar incident, Budhi Singh died after falling from a height at a construction site near the Sidhra Tawi Bridge in Jammu. He was rushed to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Jammu, where doctors declared him dead, an official said.
Both sites are part of NHAI's ongoing highway development projects in the Union Territory. The authority has not yet issued an official statement on the accidents. Local authorities have initiated procedures for the compensation and legal formalities as per existing norms.
Workplace safety at infrastructure projects has been a recurring concern across India. According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau, a significant number of accidental deaths occur at construction sites each year. However, comprehensive data specific to NHAI projects is not readily available.
The recent incidents highlight the need for strict enforcement of safety protocols, including the use of protective equipment, structural integrity checks, and regular training for workers. Contractors and state agencies are bound by the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996, which mandates safety measures at construction sites.
In response to the incidents, officials have assured that the families of the victims will receive all entitled benefits. The state administration has also said it will monitor the compensation process to ensure timely disbursal.
Infrastructure development remains a priority for the Union Territory, with several major projects underway. Balancing speed of construction with worker safety is essential to prevent such tragedies. Labour rights experts often call for independent safety audits and better enforcement of existing laws to protect workers at sites across the country.
The deaths of Sahu and Singh serve as a reminder of the risks faced by thousands of migrant and local workers who contribute to national infrastructure. Both men were engaged in physically demanding work, and their sudden deaths have left families and colleagues in mourning. Authorities have yet to announce the cause of the collapse and the fall, and further investigation is expected.
