KMRL suspends high-risk works, issues memo to contractor after woman injured during metro construction works

Kochi: Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) cracked down on its Phase II construction contractor, Afcons Infrastructure, ordering an immediate suspension of specific high-risk works and demanding strict accountability after a woman was injured during the ongoing metro construction works in Palarivattom-Kakkanad stretch.

The woman identified as Gopika, 21, suffered hand and thigh injuries after an iron piece fell from the construction site onto a passing car during the de-shuttering work of a deck slab on Tuesday night.

The victim, who immediately sought medical treatment, lodged a complaint with Palarivattom police. As per her complaint, the iron piece fell from atop a pillar, opposite the Padivattom chapel.

Terming the incident ‘extremely unfortunate,’ KMRL management issued a memo to the contractor company and directed them to immediately suspend all de-shuttering and related high-risk works until further notice.

In addition to halting the work, KMRL mandated that the contractor take full responsibility for the victim’s welfare. Afcons was directed to extend all necessary medical support, logistics assistance and financial compensation to the injured woman.

A detailed, high-level probe will be conducted to identify the exact procedural failures that led to the accident, a KMRL spokesperson said. Further construction works will only be permitted to resume after road traffic is fully diverted away from active construction zones.

“Work will remain paused until additional safety mechanisms are thoroughly reviewed, strengthened and fully implemented on-site,” the official said.

KMRL has sped up construction for its Phase II ‘Pink Line’, an 11.2-km corridor connecting JLN Stadium to Infopark IT hub in Kakkanad. Aiming for a March 2027 completion deadline, KMRL shifted to high gear by producing heavy superstructure elements, including massive 170-tonne U-girders and pier caps, at its dedicated Kalamassery casting yard.