BMC installs 5,792 protective grills over manholes

Mumbai: Across the city, the BMC has placed 5,792 guardrails over manholes, stormwater drains, and sewerage networks. Even if manholes are left open during flooding, these grills are designed to keep people from falling into them. However, since each cover is worth between Rs.3,000 and Rs 5,000, they are frequently stolen. The civic organisation has begun replacing broken manhole covers and fixing damaged ones in accordance with the Bombay High Court's directive. Employees at the ward level are keeping an eye on the activities, a civic official said.

 

The HC ordered the BMC to act quickly to fix exposed manholes that are turning Mumbai neighbourhoods into "death traps" on Tuesday. According to the BMC, the work has been done in phases over the previous two years. According to a civic official, a team inspects manholes every year before the monsoon, fixes the broken ones, and installs nets to guard against any unfortunate accidents. In case of flooding in their neighbourhoods, we have also urged homeowners not to remove the covers, he continued. Residents occasionally open the lids to let rainwater drain when there is flooding. They are stolen at other times. This year, there have been about 200 theft complaints.

 

The BMC continuously monitors the issue, according to Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) P Velarasu. The damaged and missing manholes are quickly replaced. In accordance with the HC's directive, we shall put covers wherever they are required. Manish Valanju, the assistant commissioner for K-East, Jogeshwari, and Andheri East, reported that fifteen FIRs had been filed in the previous three to four months. The theft issue is being investigated by the police.