🚇 J. Kumar Company Fined ₹5 Lakh Again for Safety Violations During Metro 9 Work
MMRDA penalizes the contractor for neglecting safety norms during welding operations in Mira-Bhayandar; total penalties cross ₹6 crore in recent months.
Mumbai | October 31, 2025:
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has once again imposed a fine of ₹5 lakh on J. Kumar Infraprojects Ltd., the contractor executing construction work on the Dahisar–Mira-Bhayandar Metro Line 9, for violating safety regulations at the worksite.
The penalty comes after a complaint highlighted unsafe welding practices at Medtiya Nagar, Bhayandar East, where sparks from welding reportedly fell onto moving vehicles below, posing a serious public safety hazard. Activist Adv. Krishna Gupta shared video evidence on social media and lodged a formal complaint with MMRDA, following which the authority took action.
⚠️ Repeated Safety Breaches by the Contractor
This is not the first time J. Kumar Infraprojects has been penalized by MMRDA.
In September 2024, the company was fined ₹10 lakh after a 30-kg hydraulic jack fell during Metro 9 construction work.
Over the past few months, the company has faced cumulative penalties exceeding ₹6 crore across multiple Mumbai Metro projects for negligence and project delays:
-
Metro 3 (Colaba–Aarey): ₹2 crore fine by MMRCL after water seepage during testing.
-
Metro 2B (Andheri West–Mandale): ₹46 lakh fine for failing to complete pier and pier-cap work on time.
-
Various incidents on Metro 9: fatal accidents and technical lapses, with five worker deaths reported as per an RTI response from MMRDA.
🏗️ Metro 9 Project and Public Complaints
The Metro Line 9 project—linking Dahisar to Mira-Bhayandar—includes a double-decker flyover built by MMRDA and executed by J. Kumar. However, residents have repeatedly complained of poor-quality construction, potholes, and temporary patchwork repairs that fail within weeks.
Despite written complaints from locals, no criminal case or blacklisting of the company has yet occurred. Critics, including Adv. Krishna Gupta, have questioned the MMRDA’s reluctance to take stronger punitive action.
🗣️ Public and Legal Reaction
Citizens’ groups have called for accountability and stricter enforcement of safety measures across Metro projects, especially given the recurring accidents.
“If repeated violations and deaths don’t lead to criminal action or blacklisting, what message does that send to contractors?” – Adv. Krishna Gupta.
MMRDA confirmed the latest fine via its official X (Twitter) handle, reiterating its commitment to worker and public safety.
