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A tragic incident unfolded on Saturday afternoon at the Kannauj railway station in Uttar Pradesh, India, where a shuttering collapse during construction work resulted in injuries to at least 23 workers. The incident, which occurred around 2:30 pm, caused a scene of chaos as the temporary structure supporting the concrete roof gave way, trapping approximately two dozen laborers under the rubble. Initial reports indicated confusion and dust clouds as onlookers and fellow workers desperately attempted to rescue those trapped. The gravity of the situation prompted swift action from authorities. Two teams from the State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF), along with a dog squad and specialized equipment for detecting trapped individuals, were immediately dispatched from Lucknow to aid in the rescue operation. Ambulances and local police also arrived within fifteen minutes of the incident being reported.
Six of the injured workers were quickly transported to the hospital, three of whom sustained critical injuries and were subsequently transferred to the KGMU Trauma Centre in Lucknow for advanced medical care. The Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, personally intervened, ordering officials to prioritize the safe rescue of the trapped workers and their subsequent medical treatment. While initial reports stated that no one was missing and no fatalities occurred, SDRF teams meticulously scanned the area to ensure no one remained undetected under the debris. The incident highlights critical safety concerns surrounding construction projects and underscores the need for robust safety protocols to prevent such occurrences in the future. The sheer number of injured workers underscores the scale of the collapse and the potential for a more severe outcome.
The investigation into the cause of the collapse is already underway. District Magistrate Shubhrant Kumar Shukl emphasized that the immediate priority was the rescue operation, deploying all available resources to ensure the safe extraction of the trapped workers. Minister of State (Independent Charge) for social welfare, Asim Arun, also visited the site, confirming that 23 individuals were injured—20 with minor injuries and three with severe injuries. He further confirmed that the construction was part of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) project to create a new terminal for the Kannauj railway station. A high-level three-member committee has been established by the NER division of the Indian Railways to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. The committee comprises the chief engineer, planning and design; the additional divisional railway manager, Izzatnagar; and the chief security commissioner of the Railway Protection Force. This independent investigation aims to determine the root cause of the collapse and identify any potential negligence or breaches of safety regulations.
The injured workers are receiving treatment, and the Indian Railways has announced an ex gratia payment scheme. Those with minor injuries will receive Rs 50,000, while those with serious injuries will receive Rs 2.5 lakh. The incident has left a lasting impact on those involved. One worker, Mahesh Kumar, recounted his narrow escape, describing the sudden collapse of the shuttering immediately after the concrete was poured. He credits his proximity to the edge of the structure for his survival. The state relief commissioner, Bhanu Chandra Goswami, remained in close contact with the Kannauj district administration, ensuring the provision of all necessary assistance. Ambulances remained on standby to provide first aid and transport injured workers to hospitals, and the district hospital’s emergency ward was placed on high alert, with doctors standing by to handle the influx of patients. The incident underscores the inherent risks in construction and the importance of prioritizing worker safety above all else. Future investigations will be crucial in determining responsibility and preventing similar tragedies.
Source: 23 workers injured in shuttering collapse at Kannauj railway stn