Alappuzha: Amid growing public outrage over the death of a pickup van driver at the Aroor–Thuravoor elevated highway construction site in Eramalloor on Thursday, the family and friends of the victim have refused to accept the body until the government assures them of adequate compensation. The police have registered a case against Maharasthra based Ashoka Buildcon, the company that took on the contract for elevated highway construction. In the FIR, the police noted that the work carried out without security arrangements led to the accident. 

The family has reached the Ernakulam District General Hospital, where the body is currently kept. The inquest procedures are underway, and the post-mortem has not yet been completed.

Rajesh (48), a native of Pallippad in Haripad, was crushed to death when a massive girder collapsed onto his pickup van while he was driving along NH 66, where the elevated highway construction is in progress.

Rajesh is survived by his wife, Shailja; son, Jishnu Raj, a degree student; and daughter, Krishnaveni, a Plus One student. His parents are also dependent on him.

“Rajesh’s daughter has been diabetic since birth. The family has been spending a huge amount on her treatment. He was the sole breadwinner,” said a friend of the deceased driver.

According to police, the accident occurred around 2.30 am while a heavy girder was being placed on the piers. After positioning it, workers operating a crane were making adjustments when the girder slipped and fell on the passing vehicle below.

Speaking to the media, one of Rajesh’s friends said the authorities or the state government must assure that such incidents will not be repeated.

“The government must ensure adequate compensation for Rajesh’s family. The NHAI is responsible for the work, but the state government, as the implementing agency, must be held accountable. The authorities should guarantee that such negligence will not claim more lives,” he said.

Rajesh’s father, Rajappan, told Manorama News that his son was transporting eggs from Tamil Nadu to Alappuzha when the accident occurred.

" I had talked to him around 10.30 on Wednesday night when he was driving home. He told me that he reached Angamaly and was expecting to reach home by 12 midnight. But his phone was unreachable when I tried to contact him later. Around 5 am today, our neighbours told me about the accident," he said with tears.

A public protest erupted at the accident site, with locals alleging that the authorities had carried out high-risk construction work without closing the road. They also claimed that a KSRTC bus and a car narrowly escaped being crushed under the falling girders.