A 60-year-old man, identified as Aslam Sheikh, lost his life after falling into an open manhole in Mumbai’s Sakinaka area, triggering widespread outrage and raising serious questions over the safety measures adopted by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) during monsoon-related civic works. According to reports, the manhole had been left uncovered while drainage maintenance work was underway. Due to heavy rain and waterlogging, the open drain was not visible, causing Aslam Sheikh to fall inside. Rescue teams, including the fire brigade, rushed to the spot after the incident, but despite prolonged efforts, his body was recovered from the manhole. The tragedy has sparked sharp criticism of the BMC, with questions being raised over whether proper barricading and warning signs were installed at the work site. Journalists at the scene repeatedly sought answers from civic officials, who declined to comment, further fueling public anger over the incident. The incident has also reignited concerns about Mumbai’s recurring monsoon safety failures. Critics questioned whether officials responsible for the negligence should face criminal action and demanded accountability for the fatal lapse. Several questions have been raised, including whether civic authorities should accept responsibility for the death, disclose the number of open manholes across the city, and initiate action against officials found negligent. The tragedy has once again highlighted Mumbai’s long-standing civic infrastructure challenges. Despite multiple changes in political leadership over the past two decades, recurring issues such as waterlogging, uncovered manholes, and poor maintenance continue to pose serious risks during the monsoon season. Similar incidents have also been reported from other parts of the country. In Gujarat’s Junagadh, two motorcycle riders were injured after falling into an improperly repaired roadside excavation following rainfall. In Madhya Pradesh’s Dewas, a woman riding a scooter fell into a water-filled construction pit hidden beneath rainwater but was rescued by nearby residents.
The Mumbai incident has renewed calls for stricter safety protocols during civic works and stronger accountability to prevent avoidable tragedies during the monsoon.
