After getting criticized by the opposition over a viral video, BMC orders officials to an inspection of manholes

After a viral video of two women falling into a manhole took over the internet, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has given orders for inspection of all manholes under its jurisdiction manually. The Incident took place in the Bhandup suburbs, where two women fall into a manhole and had a very narrow escape. This happened when the city was flooded with water after heavy rainfall started. The women got minor injuries, but the video got viral on the internet in no time, for which the authorities and Maharashtra Government received a lot of criticism from the opposition. 

 

BMC elections are scheduled in February 2022, and the opposition is looking for matters like these to counter the government in power. Manoj Kotak, a member of parliament from Mumbai northeast, posted the video on social media and commented, “The richest civic body of India BMC is not capable of keeping unclogged manholes and clean sewerage. The people of Mumbai are devoid of basic rights of cleanliness and now the incompetence is proving fatal. This video of two women falling in an open manhole rages me to the core.” 

 

Following the incident, and after receiving criticism, BMC stated that strict instructions are issued to inspect all the manholes on the roads that fall into the area of BMC, manually and with immediate effect. A BMC official said, “The manhole’s cover was leaking during heavy rains on the east side of the village. A video of two women falling into it is circulated all over the internet. Following this, it is to clarify that with immediate effect, the manhole has been removed from there, and a new manhole has already been installed.”

 

As per a statement given by BMC; as part of pre-monsoon preparations, manholes are also repaired and inspected. The BMC official added to this, “After the heavy rains and drainage, the corporation is once again checking the condition of all the roads and manholes. Replacement is being done where it is necessary.”