Namma Metro crane topples

Vehicular movement affected for some time

Later, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) spokesperson B L Yashavanth Chavan described it as a minor incident. “The crane was entering the barricaded area from the main road near the old Isolation Hospital at 4.30 pm, when it toppled as the earth caved in under its weight. No worker was injured. Work was resumed later” he said.

However, bystanders said the crane skidded over while negotiating a turn into the muddy area of the pier construction spot. Traffic movement was obstructed for 15 minutes. Police  rushed to the spot and cleared the vehicle pile-up.

Six accidents since December
In the last six months, the ‘Namma Metro’ project has recorded six accidents, claiming three lives and injuring six.

* December 2008, a crane toppled onto a pit dug for laying a pier/pillar leading on CMH Road, in Indiranagar. No injuries were reported.

* January 11, 2009: A 20 year-old security guard came under the wheels of an earthmover on Mahatma Gandhi Road-Brigade Road junction.

* January 29: Four workers were injured during a demolition operation in Rajajinagar I Block, when a wall fell on them.

* May 23: A worker died in another demolition when a building wall collapsed on him on Mahakavi Kuvempu (MKK) Road in Rajajinagar.

* In July, Sangappa Dasappanannavar (23), a native of Bellary, a labourer employed by the contractor Binyas with demolition of properties for the Bangalore Metro project died after sustaining injuries when a wall he was demolishing, near Lalbagh West Gate, Reach 4 (K R Road to R V Road Terminal) collapsed/fell on him.

* Earlier this month, a under construction pier of the CMH Road station slipped and bent during handling on CMH Road, injuring two labourers/bar benders.