Mumbai: Boulder falls on road, almost killing biker, pillion rider

The boulder that fell on the bike at Ghodbunder Road in Thane. Pic/Hanif Patel

The ongoing road widening work on Ghodbunder Road led to an accident on Sunday, when a boulder fell on a busy road, hitting a motorcycle. The biker from Virar and a woman riding pillion with him sustained injuries.

Witnesses told mid-day that an excavator was cutting the hill when a large stone fell on the road where the traffic was moving at a snail's pace.

"As the stone rolled down, we watched helplessly and couldn't drive away as we were stuck in a traffic jam. The stone damaged the bike of the Virar-based man, Vishal, and the pillion rider. The duo fell on my car and it got damaged," said Dinesh Patil, resident of Sasunavghar, Naigaon. Patil said Vishal hurt his back, legs and hands badly.

"People involved in road widening work put the lives of many at stake. This incident could have been fatal as the size of the stone was huge," Patil said. Kashimira police reached the spot and we complained about the accident, "but those involved in the road widening work agreed to bear the cost for repair of both the vehicles," he added.

"I called up my mechanic to consult about the repair charges and he quoted Rs 15,000, but the officials gave me only Rs 10,000," Patil said.

Kashimira police officer Sanjay Hajare said, "I am not aware of the accident. And I don't believe any police officer will refuse to register a case. But if someone has done that, then the complainant can approach me." Vishal was unavailable for comment.