Archive · 13 Nov 2025
Driver Dies as Girder Collapses on Vehicle During Kerala Highway Construction
Workers in Kerala were building a highway that goes over other roads.
During the construction, they were lifting very heavy metal beams, called girders.
One of the machines they used, a jack, had a problem and slipped.
This caused two big beams to fall.
Sadly, one of the beams landed on a small truck driving underneath.
The driver of the truck, Rajesh, was trapped and died from his injuries even after a long rescue effort.
Officials are now looking into why this happened, checking if safety rules were followed and if traffic should have been stopped.
The company building the highway says it was a machine failure, but some people who were there say there weren't enough safety guards or signs.
A case has been filed, and the company has agreed to pay compensation to the driver's family.
A driver was killed when a heavy girder collapsed onto his pickup vehicle during elevated highway construction in Alappuzha, Kerala.
The incident occurred early Thursday morning around 2:30 a.m. due to a suspected technical issue with a jack used for installing girders.
The deceased, Rajesh (47), was trapped in his vehicle and died despite a multi-hour rescue operation.
An inquiry has been ordered by the District Collector and Public Works Minister, and a case of culpable homicide has been registered.
Locals and elected officials raised concerns about inadequate safety measures and traffic regulation during the high-risk construction work.
- Who
- Rajesh (47), a pickup vehicle driver, was killed. Alappuzha District Collector Alex Varghese, Public Works Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas, Aroor MLA Daleema, and Alappuzha MP K C Venugopal are involved in discussions or inquiries. Ashoka Builders is the contracting firm, and NHAI is overseeing the project.
- What
- A fatal accident occurred when two heavy girders collapsed during elevated highway construction, with one falling onto a passing pickup vehicle and killing its driver. An inquiry has been ordered, and a case of culpable homicide has been registered. The construction company has agreed to pay compensation.
- When
- Early Thursday morning, November 13, around 2:30 a.m.
- Where
- Chandiroor, Alappuzha district, Kerala, at the NH-66 Aroor-Thuravoor elevated highway construction site.
- Why
- Preliminary reports suggest a technical issue with a jack used for girder installation. However, locals and some officials allege negligence and a lack of safety measures, including allowing traffic during high-risk work.
Official/Company Statements
Eyewitnesses/Locals/Elected Officials
Cause of Accident
Official/Company Statements
The accident was caused by a technical issue with a jack used for installing the girders, which slipped. NHAI has appointed an expert committee to investigate.
Eyewitnesses/Locals/Elected Officials
The accident was due to a lack of adequate safety precautions, including insufficient traffic restrictions and missing barricades. Some residents claim workers fled the scene, delaying rescue.
Traffic Regulation During Work
Official/Company Statements
Around 40 marshals are deployed to regulate vehicle movement. The District Collector will investigate if traffic should have been stopped.
Eyewitnesses/Locals/Elected Officials
Traffic was allowed during the midnight work, with a bus and lorry behind the deceased's vehicle, indicating potential for a worse disaster. Aroor MLA stated traffic restrictions are usually imposed but were not.
Overall Project Safety
Official/Company Statements
NHAI has decided to appoint an expert committee to investigate the matter and take appropriate action after receiving the report. Public Works Minister directed PWD secretary to conduct an inquiry.
Eyewitnesses/Locals/Elected Officials
Alappuzha MP criticized governments for carrying out construction without adequate safety measures or improving service roads, citing past fatalities on service roads along the same stretch.
- Location
- Chandiroor, Alappuzha district, Kerala
- Project
- NH-66 Aroor-Thuravoor elevated highway construction
- Date of Incident
- Thursday, November 13 (around 2:30 a.m.)
- Deceased
- Rajesh (47), a pickup vehicle driver from Pallipad, Alappuzha
- Compensation
- Rs 25 lakh agreed to be paid by Ashoka Builders
- Case Registered
- Culpable homicide under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
