Open pit, no barricades: Kerala man dies after falling into roadside pit in Thodupuzha

The pit had been dug on the side of the road for ongoing construction work and had no barricading around it.

Published on: Feb 17, 2026, 16:07:00 IST

Edited by Shivya Kanojia

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A 27-year-old man lost his life on Monday night after his scooter fell into an open construction pit. The incident took place near Thodupuzha in the Idukki district of Kerala.

The incident took place near Thodupuzha in the Idukki district of Kerala, representational image. (Hindustan Times)

Police identified the victim as Jeys Benny, a resident of Muthalakkodam, news agency PTI reported.

The pit had been dug on the side of the road for ongoing construction work and had no barricading around it. Benny was rushed to a nearby hospital immediately after the crash, but could not be saved.

Also read| Man dies after falling in uncovered manhole in Delhi's Rohini

CCTV captures the crash

The horrific moment was caught on camera. CCTV footage shown by TV channels shows the two-wheeler plunging straight into the deep, unprotected pit.

Local residents claim the hole remained open for over a month. They also alleged that there were no barricades or warning signs to alert drivers at night.

State Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Mohammed Riyas has now ordered an official investigation.

The Minister has tasked a deputy chief engineer with the probe. "Stringent measures will be taken if the negligence happened from the side of the Public Works Department," Riyas said. He added that further action will follow once the report is submitted.

Anger boiled over on Tuesday as locals gathered at the accident site to protest against the PWD. Members of the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) also joined the agitation.

(With PTI inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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