In a tragic accident on Thursday morning, a girder being lifted during construction of a railway overbridge in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh, collapsed, killing two people and injuring four others, police confirmed. The incident occurred at the Sagaur Railway bridge in Sector 3, which has been under construction for nearly three years.

Details of the incident

According to the Dhar district police, the deceased have been identified as Abhay Patidar, a mini-truck driver, and Kalyan Singh, a conductor. The four injured individuals are currently undergoing treatment at nearby medical facilities.

Dhar Superintendent of Police (SP) Mayank Awasthi explained the sequence of events: “Two cranes were lifting a girder from both ends when one of the cranes, positioned on the Sagaur side, suddenly toppled. A Tata Magic and a pickup truck passing by were struck. One driver was pulled out immediately, while two others were rescued after a two-hour operation.”

The 500-metre-long railway overbridge has been under construction in Pithampur for the past three years, as part of ongoing infrastructure development to improve connectivity in the region.

Allegations of negligence

Local advocate Rajesh Chaudhary alleged that the collapse was the result of negligence by railway officials and the contractor. He stated: “There was no service road at the site. Due to unstable ground, one of the cranes sank and overturned. Despite repeated warnings to the authorities, no action was taken.”

Chaudhary’s claims point to potential lapses in safety measures and site management, raising concerns about construction practices at large-scale infrastructure projects in the state.

Rescue and recovery operations

Following the accident, emergency teams conducted a two-hour operation to rescue those trapped under the debris. Authorities deployed two additional cranes to remove the toppled equipment and clear the site.

The railway department has been contacted for comments on the incident, and updates are expected regarding investigations into the cause of the collapse and accountability measures.

Impact and response

The incident has shocked local residents, highlighting the risks faced by workers and commuters near construction zones. With construction projects in India accelerating to enhance transport and connectivity, safety protocols and oversight have become crucial to prevent such tragedies.

As investigations continue, authorities are expected to assess the structural stability of the site, review crane operations, and examine whether proper risk assessments and safety protocols were followed during the lifting of the girder.

The collapse underscores the importance of rigorous construction safety norms, particularly for large-scale infrastructure projects where heavy machinery and public movement intersect.