MMRDA fines ₹12.5 crore for Metro 9 safety lapse after granite stones fall near school bus

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has imposed fines totalling ₹12.5 crore on the contractor and consultants involved in the Mumbai Metro 9 Line project after granite stones fell from a bridge in Mira Bhayandar, Thane, on Monday. The incident occurred around 11 a.m. while debris was being removed and material was being shifted at Medetiya Nagar Station. A school bus passing through the vicinity had a narrow escape, though no students were onboard and no injuries were reported.

The MMRDA fined the main contractor, J. Kumar Infraprojects Ltd (JKIL), ₹10 crore; the architectural finishing contractor, N.A. Gajanan, ₹1.5 crore; and the general consultant for the project, Systra-CEG, ₹1 crore. The authority clarified that no granite stones fell directly on or struck any school vehicle during the incident. It added that the vehicle’s tyre was punctured after it drove over scattered pieces of granite on the ground.

According to MMRDA’s statement, the material basket being handled by a crane accidentally came into contact with granite stones stacked in the nearby Foot Over Bridge (FOB) area, causing some stones to fall from the FOB level into the barricaded work area on the ground. The MMRDA emphasised that safety compliance is non-negotiable and directed all agencies to strictly adhere to prescribed safety protocols and implement corrective and preventive measures to prevent recurrence.

The incident has raised concerns about safety at infrastructure construction sites, particularly near schools and residential areas. The fines are intended to serve as a deterrent and underline the authority’s commitment to enforcing safety standards. Further investigations may be conducted to determine if additional measures are required to ensure the safety of commuters and residents in the vicinity.