Rod falls from Metro Rail site, pierces 20-year-old man’s head

By Sagaya Fernando| August 6, 2025

Thane, Maharashtra, INDIA: In a horrific incident that has raised serious concerns about construction safety, a 20-year-old man sustained life-threatening injuries after a long metal rod fell from an under-construction Metro Line 5 site and pierced his head while he was travelling in an autorickshaw in Bhiwandi on Tuesday August 5, 2025, afternoon.

The accident occurred around 2 pm near the Narpoli-Dhamankar Naka stretch, where civil works for the first phase of the Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan Metro corridor are underway.

The victim, identified as Sonu Ali, a resident of Vitthal Nagar in Bhiwandi, was seated in a moving rickshaw when a metal rod measuring approximately 7 to 8 feet in length and 20mm in thickness fell from a metro structure overhead. The rod tore through the roof of the rickshaw and impaled his forehead, leaving him covered in blood. Shockingly, despite the severe injury, Sonu remained conscious.

Eyewitnesses rushed to help after the autorickshaw driver stopped and tore open the hood to rescue the victim. He was immediately shifted to Noble Hospital in Bhiwandi by local residents. Doctors treating him said the rod had penetrated nearly 3.5 inches into his skull. He is currently in critical condition and not in a position to speak. The exposed part of the rod was cut off, but surgery has been deferred for 48 to 72 hours, depending on the patient’s stability.

A senior doctor, requesting anonymity, said: “The patient is under close observation, and surgery will be performed only after consultations with specialist neurosurgeons.”

Following the incident, workers of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) staged a road blockade in protest and demanded the registration of a criminal case against the construction contractor. Police have launched an investigation into the accident and are examining the roles of all parties involved.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which is overseeing the Metro 5 project, confirmed the incident and expressed "deep regret". In a statement, the authority said it had imposed a penalty of ₹50 lakh on Afcons Infrastructure, the civil contractor, and ₹5 lakh on Systra-CEG-Systra India, the general consultant, citing "supervisory lapses."

An independent inquiry has been ordered under the Chief Safety Manager of AICA, the general consultant for Metro Line 2B, to ensure a neutral and expert investigation. MMRDA officials added that further action would be based on the findings of this inquiry.

The authority further directed Afcons to bear all medical expenses of the injured victim and provide additional support to his family. Safety officers from both Afcons and Systra visited the hospital immediately after the incident to coordinate medical care.

A senior MMRDA official said, “We deeply regret the incident. Public safety and accountability are paramount. Immediate steps have been taken not only to penalise those at fault but also to identify and rectify systemic safety lapses.”

The rod that caused the accident is believed to be a tie rod—part of a temporary support system installed nearly two months ago for a deck slab. Preliminary findings suggest the rod gave way unexpectedly, crashing onto the road below.

A video of the incident went viral on social media, showing the rod lodged in the victim’s head as he sat motionless and bloodied inside the rickshaw. The incident has triggered public outrage, with citizens criticising poor safety standards at construction sites.

Sonu Ali, a daily wage labourer and the sole breadwinner of his family, lives with his father and two other relatives. His family now faces a deep financial and emotional crisis as they await his recovery