GHAZIABAD: A 22-year-old worker died and two others sustained injuries after a huge mould of mud fell on them while laying Gangajal pipeline on NH-24 in Kavi Nagar area on Monday evening.
The accident took place around 4.30 pm when seven workers were carrying out the digging work on the highway near Columbia Asia Hospital. Eyewitnesses said the walls caved in moments after the workers had finished laying the pipeline after digging a 25ft-deep trench.
“The pipeline laying work was done at that time and workers were planning to come up when suddenly the cave-in happened. While four of them managed to come out, three others remained buried,” said Kundan Kumar, site engineer of the private company that employed the workers.
Police and National Disaster Rescue Force (NDRF) personnel were soon informed.
Manish Kumar Singh, SP (city), said rescuers managed to pull the trio out with the help of cranes. “The three were rushed to Columbia Asia, where Anshuman Kumar was declared brought dead. Two others — Pankaj (23) and Amit (20) — are being treated at the hospital,” he said.
“Initial investigation has revealed that the workers were using the digging machine, due to which the mould of mud fell on them. We have not yet received any complaint in connection with the accident, but the body has been sent for post-mortem and the reports are awaited. We have informed his family members,” the SP said.
Another labourer working at the site blamed the employer for not providing them with any safety gear like helmets and gloves. “Just five minutes before the accident, all workers had returned to work after a tea break,” he said.
NHAI officials said they would launch a high-level inquiry into the accident. “Under the supervi-sion of UP Jal Nigam, a pipeline was being laid near Bamhetta. The work at the spot was almost complete but the accident occurred,” said an official.
“We will carry out a probe and strict action will be initiated against those responsible,” he added.
The NHAI is laying a 14km-long Gangajal pipeline from Dasna to Gangajal treatment plant.
The accident took place around 4.30 pm when seven workers were carrying out the digging work on the highway near Columbia Asia Hospital. Eyewitnesses said the walls caved in moments after the workers had finished laying the pipeline after digging a 25ft-deep trench.
“The pipeline laying work was done at that time and workers were planning to come up when suddenly the cave-in happened. While four of them managed to come out, three others remained buried,” said Kundan Kumar, site engineer of the private company that employed the workers.
Police and National Disaster Rescue Force (NDRF) personnel were soon informed.
Manish Kumar Singh, SP (city), said rescuers managed to pull the trio out with the help of cranes. “The three were rushed to Columbia Asia, where Anshuman Kumar was declared brought dead. Two others — Pankaj (23) and Amit (20) — are being treated at the hospital,” he said.
“Initial investigation has revealed that the workers were using the digging machine, due to which the mould of mud fell on them. We have not yet received any complaint in connection with the accident, but the body has been sent for post-mortem and the reports are awaited. We have informed his family members,” the SP said.
Another labourer working at the site blamed the employer for not providing them with any safety gear like helmets and gloves. “Just five minutes before the accident, all workers had returned to work after a tea break,” he said.
NHAI officials said they would launch a high-level inquiry into the accident. “Under the supervi-sion of UP Jal Nigam, a pipeline was being laid near Bamhetta. The work at the spot was almost complete but the accident occurred,” said an official.
“We will carry out a probe and strict action will be initiated against those responsible,” he added.
The NHAI is laying a 14km-long Gangajal pipeline from Dasna to Gangajal treatment plant.
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