After the Bombay High Court's (HC) direction to address the problem of manhole cover theft, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued helpline numbers through which citizens can register complaints against open manholes.
The civic body has assured strict action against those opening manholes without permission or buying stolen covers. These acts would constitute a criminal offense under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Manholes in mumbai
There are about one lakh manholes in Mumbai, which are maintained by the BMC's Sewage Management and Storm Water Department (SWD). To date only 5,000 manholes have been fitted with protective grills. During monsoons, these clogged drains become potential death traps and have claimed many lives.
Recently, while hearing a PIL in a related case, the High Court had said that if anyone falls into a manhole this year, the responsibility will be on the BMC.
The court directed the civic body to take concrete steps regarding open manholes.
Open manholes as an offence
The BMC is still struggling to address the serious concern of manhole cover theft. In some cases, citizens themselves open manholes so that accumulated rainwater drains away quickly, but then leave them open, increasing the risk of people falling into them. Now, the civic body has announced that it will file charges under relevant IPC sections including Section 304A (negligence causing death) against such persons.
Any citizen who finds an open manhole or a person stealing the cover can call 1916, or else visit the local ward office or BMC outpost, the civic body said.
Helpline nos:
● Disaster Management Cell - 22694725, 22704403, 61234000
● Storm water drain workshop - 24309817, 24309472
● Western Suburbs Control Room - 9833539044
● Eastern Suburbs Control Room - 983353905
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