A construction site in Bhadrapur turned into a scene of tragedy on Sunday when a retaining wall collapsed, killing a worker on duty. The incident occurred in Radhakrishna Tole of Bhadrapur Municipality–6 during ongoing urban infrastructure development under the Department of Dense Urban Building Construction.
According to the District Police Office, 35-year-old Laxman Kamati of Luckybari, Birtamod Municipality–9, was fatally injured when a boundary wall belonging to local resident Indra Raut suddenly crumbled during the construction of a drainage canal. Kamati was an employee of Yagya Nirman & Suppliers Pvt. Ltd., the contractor assigned to the drainage project.
Eyewitnesses say Kamati was working at close proximity to the wall when it unexpectedly gave way, burying him under the rubble. He sustained severe injuries and was immediately rushed to the Provincial Hospital in Bhadrapur, where he succumbed during treatment. His body is currently kept at the hospital for post-mortem examination.
Negligence or Structural Flaw?
The accident raises serious questions about safety protocols at the site and whether the structural integrity of the existing wall was adequately assessed before construction began. Locals have expressed concerns over the lack of proper site management and safety supervision, particularly in residential zones undergoing urban upgrades.
"This is a terrible loss and a stark reminder of the dangers that construction workers face daily," said a resident of the area. "There was no sign of reinforcement or barrier between the work zone and the wall. It looked fragile, and the result is tragic."
Neither the contractor nor municipal authorities have issued an official statement as of Monday morning.