Mumbai monsoon: Major BMC Negligence Exposed as 60-Year-Old Man Falls into Open Manhole in Sakinaka, Rescue Underway

A serious case of alleged civic negligence has come to light in Mumbai after a 60-year-old man, identified as Aslam Sheikh, fell into an open manhole in the Sakinaka area. The incident occurred on Khairani Road, where Mumbai’s civic body (BMC) workers were reportedly carrying out drainage cleaning work. According to local reports, the manhole was left open without proper barricading or safety arrangements, making it difficult for pedestrians to identify the hazard amid ongoing rainfall. As a result, the victim reportedly fell into the deep manhole, estimated to be around 15–20 feet deep. Emergency services, including the fire brigade, immediately reached the spot and launched a rescue operation. Officials said the man has been trapped inside for nearly two to three hours, and efforts are underway to safely retrieve him using ropes and specialized rescue techniques. Teams are reportedly accessing the manhole from an adjacent chamber to reach the victim. The incident has raised serious questions over the safety protocols followed during civic maintenance work. Eyewitness accounts and initial reports suggest that proper barricading and warning measures were not put in place at the site, despite active work being carried out in a high-traffic residential area. Locals and rescue officials have expressed concern over the delay in rescue and the apparent lack of safety compliance. The condition of the victim remains unclear as operations continue. This is not the first time Mumbai’s civic body has faced criticism over open manholes during the monsoon season. The incident has once again sparked debate over accountability and safety measures in ongoing civic works. Authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the incident, while rescue operations continue on a war footing.

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