MAPUSA
A 32-year-old man died after an exposed iron rod pierced his abdomen when he fell into an under-construction drain near Calangute Market, raising questions over safety arrangements at the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) project.
Nagshmani Shimre, a Manipur-origin nail technician residing at Caranzalem, Taleigao, was walking along the busy stretch between Tito’s Junction and Baga Junction at around 11.30 pm on Tuesday when he reportedly lost his balance and fell into the open drain. He was reportedly under the influence of alcohol at the time.
An exposed iron rod pierced his abdomen, leaving him critically injured. He was rushed in a police jeep to the North Goa District Hospital in Mapusa and later shifted to Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim, where he died around 4 am on Wednesday.
The incident has brought the safety arrangements at the construction site under scrutiny, with allegations that adequate safeguards were not in place to protect pedestrians and regulate movement around the work zone.
While exposed steel rods are commonly used in drain construction, securing the site, installing warning signs and preventing accidental falls are essential precautions, particularly along busy roads.
The incident has also raised questions over accountability in public infrastructure projects and whether adequate attention was given to public safety during execution of the work.
Former Arpora-Nagao sarpanch Roshan Redkar criticised the manner in which GSIDC was carrying out the work and demanded that a case be registered against the corporation.
Former deputy sarpanch Sudesh Mayekar also blamed the alleged negligence of the contractor and GSIDC, demanding that a case of culpable homicide be registered against those responsible.
Calangute police conducted a panchanama under the supervision of police sub-inspector Sail Vaingankar.
