After renowned doctor’s fall into manhole during Mumbai rain, civic body mulls safer designs
The BMC is looking at safer designs for manholes to prevent a repeat of the tragedy that befell Dr Deepak Amrapurkar
Dr Deepak Amrapurkar’s death has spurred the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to look at the safety protocol of manholes in the city again. A senior civic official confirmed that the BMC is looking at safer designs for manholes.
The 59-year-old gastroenterologist allegedly fell into an open manhole when Mumbai was water-logged after heavy rain on August 29. His body was found at the Worli sea-face two days later. It is suspected that he fell into a 8x6 feet barrel drain at the water-logged Elphistone junction.
Municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta also ordered an inquiry into his death and the report is expected to be submitted next week. Apart from looking at what exactly happened on that day, the report is also expected to look into suggestions that can help prevent such incidents in the future.
A senior civic official said, “We may publish an advertisement in newspapers, asking people to suggest safety measures. We are also looking at institutions such as the Indian Institute of Technology (Bombay) and Veermata Jijabai Technical Institute to come up with designs.”
Another senior civic official said that the BMC follows a protocol to open manhole covers. There is a red flag and warning sign placed on the manhole and a BMC employee in uniform also stands near the spot to divert traffic. Officials said that the manhole cover may have been opened by anxious citizens to drain flood-water on August 29.
The BMC is also looking at CCTV footage and taking help of residents to know what exactly happened on that day.
In the past too, several people died or were injured by falling into open manholes. In 2010, 11-year-old Tushar Jadhav fell into an uncovered manhole at Mariam Nagar in Worli.