In a shocking incident today afternoon, a semi-constructed Metro pillar collapsed at Munje Chowk in Sitabuldi, causing panic among the passersby. Fortunately, there was no loss of life but the angry mob damaged a crane on the spot, which was being used for Metro construction work.

The pillar, which is right in front of Saraswati Vidyalaya Higher Secondary School, collapsed at around 3:40 pm on Friday (Nov 24). It was a close shave for the school students as the incident occurred just five minutes prior to the usual timing for the kids to leave the school for the day. This triggered the mixed emotions of panic and anger among shopkeepers around the area. Subsequently, angry shopkeepers and passersby gheraoed the police personnel and metro officials, who had rushed to the spot for the damage control. The shopkeepers vehemently reiterated their demand of carrying out the metro work during the nights because of the Sitabuldi market being overcrowded during the daytime.

Talking to Nation Next, an eye-witness, Shehzad Rangrez, who owns a mobile shop in front of the Fortune Mall, said, “When I was in my shop today, I heard a loud sound only to notice that the pillar had fallen down. The electricity went off immediately as the pillar had fallen on the electric wires. Fortunately, there were no school kids around.” Making an appeal to the authorities, Rangrez added, “I would request the officials to be careful with the construction work and if possible, carry out the work in night as this is a very busy area.”

Imran Javed, Vice President, Nagpur Minority cell of BJP, who has his shop in Modi no. 1, said, “As soon as the pillar collapsed, we rushed to make a safe passage for the kids and to block the traffic. This is not the first time that an incident like this has happened here because of Metro construction work. Few months back, during the metro work, one of the telephone poles fell on two auto rickshaws, destroying them, besides injuring a person. We demand that the Metro construction work should be carried out only in the night. If it the work continues during the day, we will protest on the roads to stop it. BJP has commenced the Metro work for development but development cannot happen at the cost of people’s lives and safety.”