The Construction Workers Federation of India (CWFI) deeply mourns and expresses its condolences to the bereaved families of 17 construction workers who were killed after a girder machine collapsed on them during the third phase of construction on the Samruddhi Expressway in Maharashtra’s Thane district in the wee hours of August 1, 2023. The workers who died were mostly migrant workers.

The tragic incident once again exposed the disastrous consequence of handing over the public infrastructure management, both at state and the centre, to private corporate contractor that too on liberal deregulated formats from the state-run public works departments with devastating implications of mass human loss. A Swiss company was given the outsourcing contract by Maharashtra State road Development Corporation.  It is also to be noted that, so far as many as 88 people have lost their lives in road accidents in last six months on the Samruddhi Expressway.

While mourning and condoling the tragic loss of lives, CWFI also demands a thorough high level judicial probe into the whole matter to investigate that dreadful incident and fixing accountability. Only arresting a few contract company’s officials would merely cover up the inhuman negligence and callousness of the government of the day. CWFI demands upon the Governments at Centre and state for adequate compensations and jobs to families of the diseased. CWFI once again reiterates its demand to stop privatisation in the name of contract for building, repair and maintenance and operation of public infrastructure. CWFI also demands public investments and state intervention in strengthening the public works departments.

Issued By,
P JOSEPH,
GENERAL SECRETARY