1 dead in RUB slab crash in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: A labourer was killed and two more were injured when a slab collapsed at the construction site of a Road Under Bridge at the railway crossing at Phoolbagh in Ferozguda. The heavy slab came down and trapped labourers due to a mudslide that occurred when the crane operator was placing the slab on the mud heap.

Construction worker 25-year-old G. Srinivas died on the spot and another worker suffered serious injuries. Another victim is recovering in hospital.

Police said the work started at 6 am and the mishap occurred within minutes after the crane operator started moving the slabs to their positions at the construction site.  

“These slabs have to be placed on the surface of the RUB to support the bridge. When the crane operator was placing the base slab using the crane a mudslide occurred. The slab came down along with the mud and the retaining wall and trapped the workers,” said an officer.  

Workers said that around 20 people were working at the site when the mishap occurred. Some of them had a close shave as they were standing right under the crane.

The workers, all from Srikakulam, said the contractor did not pay any attention to the retaining wall and the mud on it.The workers said that mud slips had happened earlier too, and that they had warned the contractor against this. However, the contractor asked them to continue the work. The railway police has booked a case against the contractor for negligence.

Meanwhile, South Central Railway officials said they had provided the required machinery and safety precautions. “A Road Under Bridge was sanctioned near Ferozguda on the Sanath-nagar-Moula Ali bye-pass line to ensure the safety of road use and to do away with dangerous level crossings. The work was being carried out under the supervision of the railway contractor who was selected by the Secunderabad Division of SCR,” an official release said.