Contractor booked for negligence in drowning case

A case was registered after Dattatray Parekar (11) and Pratap Parekar (9) drowned while trying to take a dip in a 10-foot trench dug to lay the foundation pillar for the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro rail project. The boys were residents of Parab chawl in Asalpha at Saki Naka and had been staying with their uncle as their parents were out of town.

On Saturday morning,on their way back from tuitions,the boys stopped by the edge of the trench and decided to take a swim. They jumped in the water without realising it was quite deep. They raised an alarm and passersby alerted the authorities. But by the time the water from the trench was drained,it was too late. The boys were rushed to a hospital where they were declared dead.

The MMRDA and Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd (MMOPL) said ample security precautions had been taken to avoid such incidents. “A case has been registered and the law will take its own course. We will conduct an inquiry independently and take necessary action,” said Dilip Kawathkar,spokesperson,MMRDA.

“We will take all measures to prevent trespassing in the future,including taking help from the police,if required. Further,we have decided to put nylon nets at all pile-caps which are deep and filled with water. This will ensure that even if there is trespassing,no one will be injured. The locals will also be counselled to prevent such unauthorised entry,to be on the lookout and to inform us immediately,” said an MMOPL spokesperson.