Two Workers Die in Bengaluru Underpass Cave-in; BDA Orders Inquiry

Bengaluru, August 11: Two workers lost their lives on Monday morning after a portion of soil collapsed at an under-construction underpass near FTII Circle in the city. The accident occurred around 11 a.m. at a site where the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) is carrying out construction work.

According to preliminary information, water had accumulated in a pit that had been dug for laying RCC. While the water was being pumped out, the soil reportedly gave way, trapping five workers. Three of them managed to escape, while two others remained buried under the debris.

The deceased have been identified as Sonaram, 26, a native of Odisha, and Parimal, 31. Sonaram was rescued and rushed to a hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. Parimal died after being trapped under the soil. The three injured workers — Sadanand, Sunil, and Irmiyaz — are reportedly from Jharkhand and West Bengal.

Police and emergency personnel reached the spot soon after the incident and carried out rescue operations. The exact cause of the soil collapse and the adequacy of safety measures at the site are yet to be established.

BDA Commissioner P. Manivannan told The Hindu that work on the underpass was underway and that soil had been excavated. “The soil suddenly collapsed, maybe due to rains. We have decided to ask a retired judge and a chief engineer to probe the incident,” he said.

Addressing compensation, the Commissioner stated: “We have told the contractor to take care of the injured persons, and to compensate the families of the deceased and arrange for their bodies to be sent home. If the contractor doesn’t do it immediately, BDA will do it, and recover the cost from the contractor.”

The incident has once again raised concerns about safety protocols at construction sites, particularly during the monsoon season when soil instability becomes more pronounced. Activists and labour unions have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of safety norms and better training for workers engaged in infrastructure projects.

Authorities have announced a thorough inquiry into the incident. The findings are expected to determine whether negligence on the part of the contractor or the executing agency contributed to the tragedy. Meanwhile, the families of the deceased await the promised compensation and support.

This fatal accident serves as a grim reminder of the risks faced by construction workers, many of whom migrate from other states to work on urban infrastructure projects. The need for robust safety measures, timely risk assessments, and accountability mechanisms cannot be overstated.