Daijiworld Media Network – Thane
Thane, Jul 7: Metal panels of the under-construction Gaimukh Metro station on the Mumbai Metro Line 4 and 4A corridor were blown off on Monday due to strong winds, raising concerns over the quality of construction even before the metro service has commenced.
The incident occurred at the Gaimukh station, a key stop on the Gaimukh-Kasarvadavali-Wadala Metro corridor. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The Metro-4 and Metro-4A projects are intended to improve connectivity between Thane and Mumbai. In September last year, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had flagged off a trial run on the corridor from Gaimukh station, covering stations including Gaimukh Junction, Gaimukh Village, Ghodbunder Road, Kasarvadavali and Vijay Garden.
Despite the successful trial, commercial operations on the route have not begun even after nearly a year. The latest incident has prompted residents to question the quality and safety standards of the ongoing construction work.
Local resident Suraj Singh urged the authorities to inspect all metro stations and ensure that roofing panels and other structural components are securely installed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Meanwhile, Thane witnessed widespread damage due to heavy rain and strong winds over the past 24 hours. According to the Thane Municipal Corporation's Disaster Management Cell, 110 trees were uprooted and 38 tree branches collapsed across the city. Authorities also received complaints regarding 14 dangerously leaning trees and six hazardous branches.
A pedestrian, identified as Pandurang Bhuvad, sustained serious injuries after a tree fell on him near the Regional Transport Office on the Louiswadi service road. He was rushed to a nearby private hospital, where he is undergoing treatment.
In another incident, rescue firefighter Ankit Yadav, 32, suffered a serious leg injury while cutting a dangerous tree near the Vrindavan bus stop at Shrirang Society. He was admitted to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Kalwa for treatment.
Authorities are continuing clearance operations and have appealed to residents to remain cautious during adverse weather conditions.