Gurgaon: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has sought a report from an independent engineer on the chain of events that led to the accident and eventual death of a biker on NH-8 last week and probe lapses, if any, on the part of the contractor.
On January 4, Sanjeev Sethi, 31, fell into a 20ft water-filled pit dug up for a U-turn underpass being built along the border on the Gurgaon-Delhi expressway. He succumbed to his injuries on Friday night.
The independent engineer’s report is expected to be submitted within the next two days. NHAI said it will take appropriate action based on the findings.
“The contractor has made certain claims. We will now receive a report on the chain of events, protocols followed by the contractor and other crucial factors pertaining to the accident, after which we will evaluate it,” said NHAI Gurgaon project implementation unit director Shashi Bhushan.
The move comes after police booked the contractor for negligence in placing proper signage about the work in progress.
However, the contractor on Monday claimed the barricading and sign boards were in place. It also said the point from where the biker entered the area was open only for the entry and exit of the construction workers and movement of the raw material.
“We understand the grief of the family, but it’s unfair to blame us for the accident. All NHAI projects follow a protocol mandated by the traffic department. We had created diversions and placed proper sign boards. The area where the biker fell was also covered and only a portion was open for the workers’ entry and exit. Due to rain, the work was suspended and the area properly taped. The biker was in a hurry to beat the traffic and take a shortcut. He probably misjudged and fell into the pothole,” an official of the project contractor said.
The contractor further claimed that immediately after the accident, the guards sitting nearby rushed to the spot along with the workers. The man was taken to hospital by its employees, added the contractor.