Chennai: Biker Killed As Metro Rail Structure Collapses Near Ramapuram

In a tragic incident late Thursday night, a large concrete segment from a Chennai Metro Rail construction site near DLF Ramapuram came crashing down, killing a motorcyclist.

The victim was reportedly heading towards Porur when the massive structure - weighing between 50 and 100 tonnes - suddenly collapsed. The segment, part of the elevated metro corridor, had been placed between two piers to support the upcoming rail track.

"Two I-girders that had been erected a week ago near the L&T Head office main gate in Manapakkam has collapsed unexpectedly when one of its supporting A-frames gave way by slipping. CMRL along with its contractors are removing the debris on war footing basis to restore traffic movement in the road and investigation will be conducted to ascertain the cause of the collapse. It's with regret that we confirm death of one motor cyclist and it is being ascertained whether the motor cycle also had a pillion rider," the CMRL said in a statement.

The accident caused a major traffic jam on the busy Poonamallee-St. Thomas Mount Road as rescue teams deployed heavy machinery to clear the debris.

A police source told The New Indian Express that one person might be stuck under the grider. "Only after the beams are completely removed, can we recover the body of the deceased and begin the identification process. Since the bike has been crushed, identification of the victim may take a little longer. As of now, one person has died, and we suspect one more may have got trapped under the girder," a police source said.

Traffic between Porur and St. Thomas Mount was briefly disrupted but has since been restored. Emergency personnel remain at the site, and the area has been sealed off to aid rescue and investigation. Vehicles heading from St. Thomas Mount to Porur were rerouted via the Manapakkam junction.

This incident brings back memories of a similar event in January last year, when a concrete beam from a Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) construction site fell in Thillai Ganga Nagar, Adambakkam. Thankfully, no one was hurt in that case.