A horrific accident at a metro rail construction site in Bhiwandi, Thane, left a passenger critically injured when a 7 to 8-foot-long iron rod fell from an overhead structure and pierced his head while he was traveling in an autorickshaw. The victim, identified as Sonuali Shaikh, was rushed to a hospital where doctors performed a grueling five-hour surgery to remove the rod, police reported on Wednesday.

The incident occurred around 2 pm on Tuesday in Bhiwandi city, where construction for the first phase of the Thane-Bhiwandi Metro Line is underway. According to authorities, the heavy iron rod plummeted from the elevated metro structure, striking the moving autorickshaw below and causing severe injuries to Shaikh, who was left profusely bleeding. Emergency responders acted swiftly to transport him to a nearby medical facility, where he remains in critical condition.

Thane police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) under Section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to acts endangering life or personal safety, against unidentified individuals responsible for the construction site. Authorities suspect negligence in safety protocols may have contributed to the accident, though the exact cause is still under investigation. “We are examining the circumstances, including safety measures at the site,” a police official stated.

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The incident has raised serious concerns about safety standards at metro construction sites, with local residents and commuters demanding stricter oversight. The Thane-Bhiwandi Metro Line, aimed at improving connectivity in the region, has been under scrutiny for delays and now faces questions about worker and public safety. Further investigations are ongoing to identify those responsible and prevent future mishaps.

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