Chennai: A 45-year-old contract worker died after the soil caved in while he was working in a 10-foot-deep pit for laying sewage pipelines during the Chennai Metro Rail project. The incident took place in Vanuvampet near Medavakkam in the wee hours of Wednesday.
According to a report on The New Indian Express, the deceased was identified as K Ravi (45) of Vazhapadi in Salem district. Ravi was working as a sub-contractor for Phase II work between Medavakkam and Madipakkam.
On Wednesday, the team was involved in moving existing sewage pipelines in order to relay the pipes a few metres away in a 10-feet-deep pit at Medavakkam Main Road near Puzhuthivakkam.
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Around 1 am on Wednesday, Ravi entered the pit without any safety gear and suddenly the soil caved in during the work. The other employees immediately removed the sand and rescued him after 20 minutes. They performed first aid and rushed him to the hospital. However, the doctors declared him dead on arrival. Later, his body was sent to Royapettah GH for autopsy.
Following the death, Medavakkam police registered a case under section 304-A (causing death due to negligence) of Indian Penal Code. They arrested the contractor Govindaraj and sub-contractor Bojan. However, they were later released on bail.
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Meanwhile, Metro Rail spokesperson denied that the soil caved in during the works and alleged that Ravi died of a heart attack.