Brake Failure in Patna Metro Tunnel Kills Two Workers, Company Blames ‘Act of God’

Patna: Three agencies—the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the District Administration, and the Patna Police—are investigating a fatal accident that occurred in the Patna metro tunnel on October 28.

A machine brake failure led to the deaths of two workers, Vijay Behera and Manoj, both from Odisha, and injuries to seven others. While the investigation is ongoing, L&T, the construction company responsible, has filed a report attributing the incident to an “act of God.”

The company’s project manager submitted the report at the Pirbahor police station, affirming that compensation will be provided to the victims’ families. Vijay’s family is set to receive ₹14 lakh, and Manoj’s family ₹16 lakh, with an additional ₹5 lakh each pledged by the Urban Development Minister.

In a separate development, the project manager filed a case against four individuals—Rajesh Kumar Sah, Saroj, Ankar Kumar, and Devendra Ram—alleging they vandalized the construction site and incited others following the incident. The manager expressed concerns that these individuals could further disrupt operations or endanger workers, and stated that the local administration had been informed of the security risks.

The accident took place about 60 feet below the under-construction Patna University Metro Station. Approximately 24-25 workers were on-site when the brakes of a soil removal machine failed, causing it to move uncontrollably and crush several workers. One worker died at the scene, while the other succumbed to injuries during treatment. The Pirbahor police are actively investigating both the vandalism and the accident.