Pune: Contractor Issued Show Cause Notice After Labourer Dies Near Nanded City Landslide During JICA Project Work
Pune: Contractor Issued Show Cause Notice After Labourer Dies Near Nanded City Landslide During JICA Project Work
Pune, August 6, 2025 – A tragic incident unfolded in Pune’s Nanded City area when a heap of loose soil collapsed during excavation work for the JICA-backed river improvement project, leading to the death of one labourer and injuries to two others. Taking serious note of the incident, Pune Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram has issued a show cause notice to the main contractor and warned of strict action.
The incident occurred on Monday evening while trenching was underway near the Mutha riverbed for a sewage line under the river rejuvenation project. A sudden landslide trapped three workers; one succumbed to injuries while two were rescued and are undergoing treatment at a local hospital.
Upon inspecting the site Tuesday morning, Commissioner Ram found lapses in worker safety protocols. Preliminary inquiry revealed that the contractor had not ensured basic safety measures for labourers. Consequently, the municipal administration served a notice to the primary contractor, demanding an explanation.
The deceased worker’s family is being flown into Pune, and arrangements are being made to send the body to his hometown. Compensation for both the deceased and the injured has also been instructed.
The project is being executed by Enviro Control and Toshiba Water Solutions, a Surat-based company, and subcontracted to a local contractor. Additional Commissioner Prithviraj B.P., along with JICA project head Jagdish Khanore, was present during the inspection. Until further review, work on the site has been halted.
This river improvement project is part of Pune’s Mula-Mutha pollution control plan under the National River Conservation Programme, involving construction of 11 sewage treatment plants and a 53.5 km sewer pipeline network. The collapsed trench was part of Main Sewer Line No. 4 from Khadakwasla Dam to Vadgaon STP.
The Commissioner stated that if the company is found in violation of contractual obligations, appropriate action will follow.
