Palghar, Maharashtra: Four days after the tragic death of two laborers who fell into a 30-foot-deep pit at the Mahakal RMC (Ready-Mix Concrete) Plant in Sasupada, questions continue to mount over safety standards and regulatory compliance at the industrial facility.
The incident, which occurred on the evening of Friday, May 2, along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway under Naigaon Police Station limits, has sparked outrage among workers’ unions and local residents. The deceased workers, Vishwajeet Harishchandra Rajbhar (20) and Rajan Surendra Rajbhar (24), were reportedly attempting to retrieve a rope when they fell into the pit. Both died from suffocation. A third worker who tried to rescue them sustained injuries.
In the aftermath of the incident, former BJP corporator Kiran Bhoir demanded that a case be registered against the plant operator. Bhoir alleged that there were no safety protocols in place at the site and blamed the operator’s negligence for the fatal accident. He urged the Chief Minister, Guardian Minister, and local police authorities to take swift action and ensure justice for the victims.
Bhoir also alleged widespread and systematic safety violations across multiple RMC plants in the Vasai-Virar region, accusing operators of bypassing regulations and suggesting collusion with Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) officials. “None of these plants are compliant. Authorities are turning a blind eye,” he claimed.
Bhoir also raised broader concerns, accusing multiple RMC plants operating in the Vasai-Virar region of routinely violating safety norms. He claimed that none of these facilities comply with regulations and alleged collusion between plant operators and officials from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether any legal action has been initiated against the Mahakal RMC Plant. Meanwhile, the incident has fueled demands for stricter oversight and enforcement of safety regulations across the industrial sector in the region.
