Mumbai man, 60, drowns after falling into manhole amid heavy rain

A 60-year-old pedestrian fell into an open manhole on Khairani Road during drainage repairs and died. The BMC has announced action against the contractor as police examine safety lapses at the site.

In Short

• Victim Aslam Isak Shaikh lived in Yadav Nagar in Sakinaka
• Contract workers had removed the cover for drainage grill repairs nearby
• Workers found only his umbrella and slippers amid the strong water flow

Drainage maintenance work on Mumbai's Khairani Road turned tragic on Wednesday after a 60-year-old pedestrian fell into an open manhole left uncovered during the repairs and died. The incident occurred in the Sakinaka area, prompting the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to announce action against the contractor responsible for the work.

The deceased was identified as Aslam Isak Shaikh, a resident of Yadav Nagar in Sakinaka. According to police, private contractual workers had removed the manhole cover to carry out repair work on a water drainage grill near Sanman Hotel and S J Studio when the incident took place.

Preliminary information suggests that Shaikh was walking along the road and talking on his mobile phone when he accidentally stepped into the open manhole. The workers immediately attempted to locate him by lowering a ladder into the drainage channel but recovered only his umbrella and slippers. The strong flow of water inside the drain made it difficult to determine where he had been swept away.

The Mumbai Fire Brigade was alerted soon after the incident and launched a search and rescue operation. After several hours of searching, firefighters located Shaikh's body inside the drainage channel and recovered it.

INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY

Police have registered the incident and launched an investigation into whether adequate safety measures were in place at the maintenance site. Officials are examining whether the contractor had installed proper barricades, warning signs or other safeguards before removing the manhole cover.

Reacting to the incident, Mumbai Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi said the BMC would initiate action against the contractor for leaving the manhole open. He said the civic body would investigate possible lapses in safety protocols during the maintenance work.

The incident has raised fresh concerns over safety arrangements at civic repair sites, particularly during the monsoon when waterlogged drains and poor visibility increase the risk of accidents.

Further investigation is underway.

- Ends