More than 2,200 sewer manholes across Mumbai remain without protective grills even after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) failed to meet its pre-monsoon safety deadline, raising fresh concerns about civic preparedness and public safety during the ongoing rainy season.
The issue has come under renewed focus following the death of a 55-year-old man who fell into an open manhole at Saki Naka during heavy rainfall last week. It has also drawn the attention of the Bombay High Court, which has questioned the BMC over delays in implementing safety measures.
According to civic records, 2,205 sewer manholes are yet to be fitted with protective grills or covers. The BMC had initially directed that the work be completed by May 31 as part of its annual monsoon preparedness programme. However, the deadline has now been extended to July 26 after the civic body informed the High Court that the remaining installations would be completed within the next few weeks.
Among the city’s administrative wards, C Ward, covering Kalbadevi and Bhuleshwar, has the highest number of pending installations at 637, followed by A Ward (352), E Ward (242), M West Ward (228) and N Ward (200).
Civic officials attributed the delay to extensive road concretisation projects across Mumbai, stating that protective grills could only be installed after roadwork was completed. Traffic restrictions in busy localities have also slowed execution, as much of the work can only be undertaken during night hours.
The Saki Naka tragedy exposed serious lapses in execution. Investigations revealed that grill installation was being carried out without a formal work order, proper supervision, barricades or warning signs. Following the incident, the BMC suspended four officials, initiated action against the contractor and ordered a high-level inquiry.
Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide said the civic body will begin annual manhole inspections from January instead of March-April from next year. She also stated that all manholes have been geotagged and that monitoring at the ward level will be strengthened to prevent similar incidents.
Mumbai has around 73,437 sewer manholes, of which 68,619 are already covered, while work on the remaining installations continues.
Source: Prop News Time
