Open manholes on city roads a threat to lives of commuters

Tribune News Service

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Amritsar, August 17

A wooden log has been inside the open manhole just outside the fruit and vegetable market at Vallah. Commuters coming from the railway overbridge side often see the open manhole when they are just a few meters away and try to save themselves. Open manholes have become a common sight on the roads and in markets being managed by the Municipal Corporation and Amritsar Improvement Trust.

The open sewerage manhole at Vallah road is posing a threat to the lives of commuters, especially those riding two-wheelers.

“These open manholes on city roads and in markets pose a grave danger to the lives of residents, especially when roads are waterlogged. In the rainy season, a major accident can happen as drivers cannot see the raised sewerage manholes. The authorities should keep a check on open and broken manhole covers in the city,” said Vijay Kumar, a vendor in Sabji Mandi, Vallah.

Municipal Corporation officials claimed that replacing broken manhole covers is their top priority and most of the time, their replace it within 24 hours. However, there are several such spots and the authorities are apprehensive of any untoward incident taking place. A visit to different parts of the area revealed that a number of sewerage manhole covers were removed for desilting or to drain out rainwater and were never covered again after the work was completed. Even the rainwater chambers led to accidents due to broken covers in various localities.

Poses grave risk on a rainy day

These open manholes on city roads and in markets pose a grave danger to the lives of residents, especially when roads are waterlogged. In the rainy season, a major accident can happen as drivers cannot see the raised sewerage manholes.