3 dead at NHAI site in Faridabad: How did winds topple 2 100-tonne cranes?

GURGAON: Strong winds and sudden rain at a National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) construction site near Panhera Khurd in Faridabad caused two 100-tonne double girder gantry cranes to lose control of their brakes, roll on tracks on which they were mounted, and collapse one after the other. While one narrowly missed an iron container where workers had taken shelter, the other slammed onto it, crushing it to pulp and killing three workers, one of them a civil engineer, on the spot.

A preliminary police assessment has suggested that the gusts may have compromised with the cranes’ interlocking system, leaving the structures impossible to restrain mechanically. Three men, two labourers and a site engineer, were killed, and one worker was injured.

The incident occurred at the casting yard of an 11 km elevated road project connecting Faridabad with Greater Noida and, eventually, Noida International Airport in Jewar. NHAI had handed the contract to APCO Infratech.

According to company officials present at the site, work had been underway when strong winds and rain forced it to come to a halt. Many labourers were resting or eating lunch, while some had moved into the iron container cabin to take shelter.

Two remote-operated gantry cranes used for lifting and transporting bridge girders were parked on ground-level iron tracks, positioned next to each other at a short distance. When not in use, they are meant to stay fixed through a braking system and mechanical locks.

Police said the failure began when winds picked up. The braking system of one crane allegedly gave way, causing it to move along its tracks. After travelling a few metres, it toppled close to the container, falling behind it, not onto it.

But seconds later, before the four men inside the container could get out, the other crane’s brakes also failed. It, too, rolled along the tracks and collapsed directly onto the container cabin, trapping all four inside. The crane’s impact crushed the shelter, killing three men on the spot and leaving one injured. Around 50 labourers were present at the site then.

An official explained what could have gone wrong. “This was the precasting and moulding unit. These cranes are huge and used to move girders or load them on trailers. The wind flow was so high that it broke the automatic braking or interlocking system. These locks mechanically clamp the tracks, like systems used to secure trains,” he added.

With brakes failing and locks breaking, the collapse also damaged the tracks.

Bhupinder Pathak, a senior executive at APCO, said, “There is no fault of the company. Work has been going on with full safety measures for a long time, but the poor weather led to this unfortunate accident.”

Rescue efforts stretched for about 11 hours, from around 3pm to 2am, involving Faridabad police and emergency teams. A senior police officer said the container went silent after the crane crashed onto it. “Everyone thought it was the end because there was no sound. Later, a feeble voice was heard. Cops from Chhainsa police station arranged for a mechanical cutter and, with rescue teams and labourers, cut through and rescued Manik after four hours,” he added.

Police have initiated inquest proceedings, but no FIR has been registered yet. Omprakash, brother of one of the victims Manish (30), told police his brother died in an accident caused by bad weather and “no one else was at fault”. Manish, who works as a welder at the site, declined to initiate legal action.

Gopal Dass, station house officer (SHO) of Chhainsa police station, said “appropriate legal action will be taken” after the probe.

Faridabad deputy commissioner Ayush Sinha said NHAI has formed a two-member committee to examine the incident and is processing ex gratia compensation in keeping with the policy. The highways authority is also bearing treatment cost of the injured worker at Sarvodaya Hospital.

“The first responder is always crucial. SDRF, NDRF, police and ambulances were called immediately. All four were rescued, but unfortunately three died. Our officers, including the SDM, and NHAI officials have met the families. After the NHAI committee submits its findings, the exact cause will be ascertained,” he added.