Mumbai: Days after a man lost his life after falling into an open manhole in Mumbai's Saki Naka, another uncovered manhole without any barricading has been spotted in the city's Chandivali area on Wednesday, raising fresh concerns over public safety and civic negligence.
The issue was highlighted by the Chandivali Citizens Welfare Association (CCWA), which shared photographs of the open manhole on social media. The images showed pedestrians and vehicles passing dangerously close to the uncovered manhole on Jama Masjid Road, which connects Sangharsh Nagar Road to Chandivali Farm Road, behind the Vicinia residential complex.
"BMC doesn't seem to learn from their earlier mistakes. A very deep manhole has been kept open without any barricading or protection on Jama Masjid Road, the road that connects Sangharsh Nagar Road to Chandivali Farm Road, behind Vicinia Complex," the association wrote in a post on X.
The post triggered strong reactions from citizens, with many questioning the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) handling of public safety. One user commented, "Relax they will admit that it's their mistake very graciously. If u fall n die Rs 5 lacs compensation. Mayor will visit the site with Media in tow. Thats how the richest Municipal Corp functions. Courts will say citizens responsible for the mess."
When The Free Press Journal contacted L Ward Assistant Municipal Commissioner Anil Jadhav, he said he was not aware of the complaint or the open manhole. Jadhav assured that civic staff would be sent to the spot immediately to secure and cover the manhole.
Notably, Jadhav is currently holding additional charge of L Ward after four civic officials, including the ward's Assistant Municipal Commissioner, were suspended earlier this month over alleged negligence following the death of a man who fell into an open, unbarricaded manhole in Saki Naka.
Man Dies After Falling Into Open Manhole In Saki Naka
The incident comes just days after a fatal accident involving an open manhole in Saki Naka, where Aslam Isak Shaikh, a resident of Andheri East, died after falling into an uncovered drain.
According to police, the incident took place at around 12:26 pm on July 2, when Shaikh was returning home from work. Investigators said he was looking at his mobile phone while walking and failed to notice the open manhole, resulting in the fatal fall.
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