Metro mishap: BMRCL cover-up?

July 26: The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has reportedly hushed up an accident that occurred at a Metro Rail site in which two workers were injured. Nagin Modal, 26, was grievously injured and Tej Narayan Singh Yadav sustained injuries in the mishap that occurred on Reach 2 stretch on Magadi Road on July 23.

The injured were immediately rushed to K.C. General Hospital. The two workers hail from Bharam village in Sarangi district of Bihar. Modal’s condition is said to be critical and he is reportedly battling for his life.

A huge ISMB sheet (iron sheet) fell on Modal and Yadav when they were setting the stage near Eshwara Temple on Magadi Road. The iron sheet required for the Metro pier gave way and fell on the workers. Six others were also injured in the incident. But they suffered only minor bruises and are said to be out of danger.

Work on setting pier at the Magadi station was underway when the incident occurred. The work was entrusted to Punj Lloyd, said BMRCL spokesperson B.L. Yeshwanth Chavan.

Modal and Yadav, who were initially admitted to K.C. General Hospital, were later shifted to a private hospital as the ICU at the former was unavailable. Investigations have been ordered into the collapse of the iron sheet. As per the contractual terms and conditions, the contractor should bear the treatment expenses, sources said.