Open pits near India Gate cause concern

5-ft-deep pits, open manholes in high-security, VIP area.

On the eve of the Hockey World Cup, the Delhi police is on a security overdrive.

HT Image

However, just metres away from the India Gate, the footpath lining the C-Hexagon was littered with open manholes and pits dug for cable ducts.

One of them was an almost five-feet deep pit, near the junction of C-Hexagon and Rajpath. On the other side lies Akbar Road, which is often used for VIP movements.

Neeta Sharma, who had come to India Gate with her family, said, “The police talk of security and other such things. But how can they keep such man holes open?”

“The whole area is under watch and nothing is left unattended,” said Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat.

“The displacement noticed (of the cover of the pit shown in the accompanying photograph) is due to the process of anti-sabotage check,” he added.