Lalbaug flyover mishap: Notice to contractor

“We sent them a notice a week ago saying MMRDA may not consider the company’s bids for any other project for a specific period of time. We will take a decision once we hear their response,” said Rahul Asthana,Metropolitan Commissioner at the MMRDA.

A similar notice has been sent to the project consultant,Asthana said.

“We are adequately responding to all notices and requirements on the Lalbaug flyover project from time to time. We will continue to cooperate on any issue with MMRDA as a valued partner,” said a Simplex spokesperson.

Two months ago,a concrete block from a non-structural component of the 2.45-km flyover fell on the junction below at about 10 pm. No one was injured. The MMRDA had ordered a detailed investigation.

Simplex has also been involved in four other accidents,one causing a death,in the past. In 2010 while the construction of the flyover was on,a cantilever fell on three cars and a motorbike,injuring one person. The other three were on the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro construction site,where Simplex has been contracted for civil works.

In 2009,a metal scaffholding collapsed on the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro construction site,injuring two workers. A year before that,a 60-tonne piling rig had overturned at the Metro work site,killing one person and seriously injuring another. Earlier this year,there was a minor accident at the Metro site when a crane toppled on a wall.