After a life was lost to an open manhole in Mumbai, concern over public safety has spread across the state, and Nagpur is no exception.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s own residence area saw a manhole on the main road near Shambar Meter Chowk left uncovered, highlighting how widespread the problem is.The city has 18,654 manholes across its sewage and stormwater drainage network, of which 588 are damaged. In several areas, manhole covers have gone missing entirely, creating serious risk for anyone who accidentally steps into an uncovered drain or sewage line during heavy rain.
The civic body engaged a private agency to survey all manholes citywide four months ago, and the survey findings have now emerged.Of the 18,654 manholes, 16,683 are in proper condition while 1,383 require urgent repair, out of 1,971 that were flagged as needing attention; 588 are damaged and lack stable covers, posing a constant risk to pedestrians. Municipal sources say a list of these locations was sent to the ten zonal offices for immediate corrective steps, but as of now, uncovered manholes remain a citywide problem.
Areas like Mahal, Kotwali Road, and Nawabpura Chowk near Ratnasingh Wachanalay remain particularly risky; citizens have placed sticks or tied cloth around some open manholes as makeshift warning markers — undercutting the city’s Smart City ambitions.Many manholes lie along footpaths where drainage lines run beneath, with missing covers posing a hazard especially after dark.
At a civic body meeting on drainage preparedness, ruling party leader Balu Bhokre directed officials to urgently install covers on drains along footpaths and asked contractors to ensure quality construction of sewage lines.
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