Open manhole claims life in Mumbai
A 55-year-old man died after falling into an open manhole in Mumbai amid heavy rains on Thursday, prompting the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to suspend four civic officials and form a high-level probe committee.
The incident, which drew sharp reactions from various leaders over Mumbai’s monsoon preparedness, occurred in the Chandivali area in the western suburbs, they said. It is the second rain-related death reported in the city this week.
Aslam Ishaq Shaikh fell into an open sewer manhole on Thursday and his body was later recovered from another manhole approximately 100 feet away from the accident site, with assistance from the fire brigade.
Minister of State for Urban Development Madhuri Misal said directives have been issued to senior civic officials to inspect every manhole in Mumbai over the next eight days and submit a report certifying their safety.
Making a statement in the lower house, she noted a committee led by an additional municipal commissioner (western suburbs) has been formed to investigate the fatal manhole incident in the Chandivali area and the panel has been instructed to submit its report within seven days, Misal said.
