The portion of an under-construction concrete slab from Mumbai Metro Line 4 collapsed onto vehicles on the busy LBS Marg in Mulund West on Saturday afternoon, resulting in one fatality and three injuries. The incident occurred near the Johnson & Johnson premises and Oberoi area, raising serious questions about construction safety and prior public concerns flagged on social media.

The collapse happened around 12:15 PM near Pier P196 on the Rajiv (Milan) stretch of Metro Line 4, close to the Mulund Fire Station. A parapet segment fell from height, striking a passing autorickshaw and a car below. Emergency services, including the Mumbai Fire Brigade, police, and MMRDA teams, responded swiftly to rescue victims trapped under debris. One person was confirmed dead, while three others sustained injuries, with at least one reported in critical condition. Traffic on the arterial south-bound LBS Road was severely disrupted as authorities cordoned off the area and initiated rescue and clearance operations.

The timing of the mishap has drawn scrutiny, as it occurred just days after MMRDA publicly fact-checked and dismissed an X (formerly Twitter) user's post highlighting visible cracks on a metro pillar or beam in the same Mulund LBS Marg vicinity. The user had urged others to report the issue, describing it as a "big crack" and calling for authorities' attention. MMRDA responded by stating the structure—a beam over Portal Pier P189—was "safe and structurally sound," with no cause for concern, and described the post as a potential attempt to spread panic. It remains unconfirmed if the flagged issue directly relates to the collapsed segment, but the sequence has fueled public outrage over whether warnings were adequately addressed.

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Metro Line 4, an elevated corridor connecting Wadala to Kasarvadavali via Ghatkopar, Mulund, and Thane, has been under construction to ease traffic congestion in Mumbai's eastern suburbs. The project involves precast elements and cast-in-situ portions, with robust safety protocols claimed by MMRDA. However, recent incidents across metro sites, including falling objects and structural concerns, have prompted calls for stricter oversight. An inquiry has been launched to determine the cause, with MMRDA stating initial assessments point to the parapet segment failure during ongoing work.

This accident has intensified demands for enhanced safety measures, independent audits, and transparent handling of public alerts in major infrastructure projects. Local residents and commuters expressed anger, with some alleging negligence despite prior notifications. As investigations continue, the incident underscores ongoing challenges in balancing rapid urban development with public safety in one of India's busiest metropolitan regions.

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