Open manholes on BS Zafar Marg pose risk to pedestrians

The Bahadar Shah Zafar Marg, one of the busiest stretches in the city -- connecting ITO and Delhi Gate -- bustles with life and pedestrian traffic 24x7. But two open manholes on a footpath, left to the entrance of Firoz Shah Kotla Stadium, may serve as death traps for pedestrians.

The Bahadar Shah Zafar Marg, one of the busiest stretches in the city -- connecting ITO and Delhi Gate -- bustles with life and pedestrian traffic 24x7. But two open manholes on a footpath, left to the entrance of Firoz Shah Kotla Stadium, may serve as death traps for pedestrians.

HT Image

The manholes, about 3.5ft deep, can cause serious injuries to a person who happens to fall in them. Most of the daily visitors are aware of the threat that lies on their path.

"I see these manholes every time I pass. They pose a major risk in the night as streetlights are not enough to warn pedestrians about the danger," said Vijay Panchal, 23, who works at a firm in ITO.

Narayan Tiwary, 73, a magazine vendor who sits under a tree on this footpath, said the two manholes have remained lidless for over a year now.

"Anyone can fall in these 3.5ft deep manholes. The mishaps can even become fatal. But the authorities don't seem to bother. There is hustle and bustle in the area throughout the day. The risk increases a lot after it gets dark," said Tiwary, who has been a frequent visitor of the stretch for over 55 years.

The area falls under the jurisdiction of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC).

An SDMC official said, "We were not aware about the situation. We will look into the matter and ensure that these manholes are covered soon."