Kalyan: A youth was critically injured after an iron rod allegedly fell from an under-construction Metro Line 12 site and struck him on the head in Kalyan East on Wednesday, raising concerns over construction safety.

The victim, identified as Abdul Haq, was travelling as a pillion rider on a motorcycle driven by his friend, Hitanshu, towards Ulhasnagar when the incident occurred. The rod reportedly fell between APMC Market and Bail Bazaar, where elevated metro construction is underway.

Haq was initially taken to Meera Hospital by his relatives before being shifted to Fortis Hospital for further treatment. He is currently admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in critical condition.

Residents have demanded an inquiry into the incident and strict action against those responsible for any safety lapses at the construction site.

Senior Inspector Baliramsingh Pardeshi of Mahatma Phule police station said the police would record Haq’s statement and investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Metro Line 12 is being constructed to connect Kalyan with Taloja. The latest incident has renewed concerns about the risks posed to commuters by ongoing metro infrastructure work.

Similar accidents have occurred at other construction sites in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. In February, an autorickshaw driver was killed in Mulund after a concrete parapet slab allegedly fell from an under-construction Metro Line 4 site.

Last year, 20-year-old Sonu Ali was seriously injured in Bhiwandi when an iron rod measuring around seven to eight feet reportedly fell from an under-construction Metro Line 5 site and pierced his head.