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400-Tonne Crane Tilts at Mumbai's BKC During Metro Work, No Injuries

A 400-tonne mobile crane tilted during construction work for Mumbai's Metro Line 2B at Bandra Kurla Complex in the early morning hours. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority confirmed no injuries and is mobilizing a larger crane to recover the equipment while diverting traffic. This incident follows a fatal accident on the under-construction Metro Line 4 in February, which killed one person and led to contract terminations and fines. MMRDA officials stated the road would reopen within hours and attributed the tilt to a mechanical gear failure in the crane's lifting boom.

Key Points: Crane Tilt at Mumbai Metro Site, No Casualties Reported

  • 400-tonne crane tilted during overnight work
  • Incident occurred near Asian Heart Hospital junction
  • No injuries or casualties reported
  • MMRDA mobilizing 600-tonne crane for recovery
  • Follows fatal Metro 4 accident in February
3 min read

Mumbai: 400-tonne crane tilts at BKC during Metro 2B work, no injuries reported

A 400-tonne crane tilted during Metro 2B work in Mumbai's BKC. Officials say no injuries occurred and traffic diversions are in place for recovery.

"As per our initial investigation, there was a gear failure in the lifting boom of one crane. - Basavraj MB"

Mumbai, April 15

During the ongoing construction work of Metro Line 2B at the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai, a mechanical failure caused a 400-tonne mobile crane to tilt. However, no injuries or casualties were reported.

The crane was lifting a pre-cast beam to topple near the Asian Heart Hospital junction. The mishap happened at 4.30 a.m. during the overnight work being carried out by the contractor J. Kumar Infraprojects Limited. No injuries or casualties have been reported, said the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) in a release.

"However, to ensure quick clearance of the toppled equipment and to ensure the road is opened to traffic at the earliest, senior officials from MMRDA promptly reached the site. A 600-tonne crane is being mobilised to safely recover the toppled equipment. Our teams are working to ensure that there is the least inconvenience to citizens. In consultation with the traffic police, traffic has been diverted. We are working proactively to restore regular traffic at the earliest. Further checks and balances as needed are being implemented to ensure safety at the site," said the MMRDA.

MMRDA Director Basavraj MB said, " As per our initial investigation, there was a great failure in the lifting boom of one crane. After the failure, the load shifted to another crane, which caused it to tilt. We will rectify it. The road will be reopened for traffic within 3-4 hours."

Earlier, MMRDA faced criticism from all quarters after a fatal accident on the under-construction Metro Line 4 (Wadala-Kasarvadavali) took place on February 14. It raised serious questions about infrastructure safety, contractor oversight, and the quality of urban governance in the Mumbai-Thane region. The mishap occurred at approximately 12.15 p.m. near the Mulund Fire Station on LBS Road. A 1.8-tonne precast concrete parapet segment fell from an elevated pier (Pier P196) onto passing vehicles. One person, Ramdhan Yadav, was killed after his auto-rickshaw was crushed. Three others sustained injuries.

An internal probe revealed that a welder "inadvertently" cut the temporary fasteners holding the segment before it had been properly stitched with construction adhesive. This procedural shortcut made the segment unstable. In the aftermath of the tragedy, the MMRDA took a slew of measures, including the termination of the contract of the General Consultant and suspension of four senior officials, including an executive engineer and a superintending engineer. A fine of Rs 5 crore was imposed on the lead contractor and Rs 1 crore on the consultant. Further, work on the 32-km Metro 4 corridor was temporarily halted. MMRDA ordered "Special Intensive Inspection" teams to conduct structural safety audits across all under-construction lines (Metros 2B, 5, 6, 7A, 9, and 12).

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Working at 4:30 AM probably saved lives. Imagine if this happened during peak BKC traffic hours. The response seems quick, but the root cause needs fixing. Are they using sub-standard equipment?
A
Aditya G
This is why we need the Metro, but also why we fear the construction. Every time I pass a site, my heart is in my mouth. Hope the "Special Intensive Inspection" teams are actually doing their job and not just on paper.
S
Sarah B
As someone who lives near BKC, the traffic diversions are a nightmare. But I'd rather have that than an accident. Appreciate the update and the effort to clear it quickly. Please just make sure it doesn't happen again.
K
Karthik V
J. Kumar Infraprojects again? After the fines and suspensions from the last accident, contractors should be on high alert. There seems to be a serious lack of accountability. MMRDA should blacklist repeat offenders.
M
Meera T
A 400-tonne crane tilting is no small thing. The fact that it was a "mechanical failure" is terrifying. What about routine maintenance checks? This is basic stuff. Our infrastructure dreams can't be built on such shaky foundations.

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