A tragic incident occurred in Lalbaug as a 23-year-old worker, Raju Shaikh, lost his life after falling into the duct of an under-construction building. This devastating incident comes just one week after seven labourers tragically died due to a lift collapse at an under-construction site in Thane. The deceased worker’s mother, Shegambibi, has filed a complaint against the builder, accusing them of illegally hiring her husband and providing insufficient safety measures for their family.
Shegambibi revealed that her husband, Ekdul Shaikh, was a construction labourer, while her three sons – Raju, Badshah, and Uzir – worked as carpenters. All members of the family were employed by the builder and had been temporarily residing on the fifth floor of the building. On the day of the tragic incident, Shegambibi noticed that Raju was missing. Concerned, she asked Uzir to search for him, and around 11 am, Uzir made the devastating discovery of Raju’s lifeless body. Raju was subsequently declared dead at JJ Hospital.
Shegambibi’s complaint highlights the builder’s failure to provide adequate safety measures and unlawfully employing her family without any regard for their well-being. This incident underscores the concerning trend of rising labourer fatalities at construction sites in the state, particularly in the metro region. Shocking statistics reveal that, since January this year, there have been 51 labourer deaths in 24 accidents, compared to 19 deaths in 14 accidents in 2021 and 39 deaths in 37 accidents in 2022. This year’s casualties also include 17 deaths on the Samruddhi Mahamarg in Thane district alone.
The increasing number of fatalities points to the alarming disregard for safety in the construction sector. Surprisingly, there is no specific public agency responsible for monitoring safety at construction sites, and the task is outsourced due to the lack of technical expertise within the current organization handling safety certifications. It is crucial for authorities to address this issue urgently to prevent further loss of life and ensure the safety and well-being of construction workers.
