Two deaths in three days prompt scrutiny of BMC's manhole safety measures
Mumbai's civic body faces criticism after a schoolboy and a 55-year-old man died in separate manhole-related incidents within 72 hours. Both deaths occurred in areas with inadequate safety covers during monsoon season.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation came under fire this week after two residents died in manhole-related accidents within a three-day span, raising serious questions about the civic authority's oversight of underground infrastructure across the city.
The first incident occurred when a 55-year-old man, identified as Aslam Easaf Shaikh, fell into an uncovered manhole in Mumbai's Chandivali area on Thursday during heavy rainfall. The lack of proper covering on the manhole proved fatal, and Shaikh succumbed to injuries sustained in the fall. The incident highlighted the recurring danger posed by inadequately maintained underground utility access points across residential neighborhoods, particularly during the monsoon season when visibility is already compromised by rain and poor lighting conditions.
Another death followed within the same 72-hour window, compounding the civic authority's embarrassment and drawing complaints from residents and municipal officials alike. These consecutive incidents represent a pattern of negligence that has plagued the BMC for years. Despite repeated directives and safety protocols mandating proper maintenance and covering of all open manholes, many access points remain exposed to residents and pedestrians, creating death traps across the city.
The deaths underscore the larger infrastructure management challenges facing Mumbai's municipal administration. During monsoon months, when water levels rise and visibility decreases, uncovered manholes become significantly more hazardous. Residents navigating streets in heavy rain risk falling into these hidden dangers, and the consequences can be fatal. The Chandivali incident demonstrates that even relatively well-developed areas remain vulnerable to such oversights.
The BMC's engineering and maintenance divisions have faced persistent criticism for not implementing effective tracking systems for all underground utilities and ensuring timely replacement or repair of damaged manhole covers. Citizens' groups and local activists have demanded stricter accountability measures and regular inspections of all such infrastructure.
Following these deaths, municipal authorities are expected to accelerate safety audits across the city and strengthen enforcement of existing manhole safety guidelines. Whether these measures will be implemented swiftly enough to prevent further tragedies remains to be seen.
Source: Hindustan Times
