Open manholes, damaged slabs risk lives of commuters

Ajay Joshi

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Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 24

Damaged manholes are posing a threat to commuters in city. Many of them are not properly closed and can cause serious accidents. Passers by are at a high risk of facing mishaps while crossing these manholes that are either damaged or kept open by the sanitation workers. 

The Municipal Corporation (MC) authorities have failed to take notice of these danger traps. Some of the damaged manholes can be seen on the busiest roads of the city such as the BMC Chowk. While other manholes are located at the Transport Nagar, Kachehri road, Cool road and various other areas.

The manholes covers are not properly placed and are raised above the ground level at scooter market, which is posing great inconvenience to the commuters. During the rains, the situation becomes precarious as the manholes are submerged under water and can’t be seen, thus increasing the danger of harming the passerby.

A city resident Avneet Anand said with the monsoon season going on, the civic authorities should make efforts to address such issues, otherwise it could cause serious problem for commuters and could also lead to fatal accidents. These manhole covers are lying damaged or uncovered since long but no action has been taken by the MC so far.

Also, huge stones have been placed on some of the manholes, which has further aggravated the chances of accidents said, Gagan Sharma. He demanded that all manholes should be properly covered with lids to save precious lives. Meanwhile, concerned authorities were not available to speak on the matter. An MC engineer, Gurchain Singh claimed, that as the issue had now come to their notice, they would enquire into the matter. He also expressed his concern regarding the fatal accidents that might appear due to the damaged manholes at the BMC Chowk.