Mumbai Civic Body's Report After a Woman Falls Into a Manhole, "It Is Concluded..."

45 year old Vimal Anil Gaikwad died

Mumbai Civic Body's Report: Five days after 45 year old Vimal Anil Gaikwad died—she fell into an open manhole she couldn’t see on a waterlogged road in Andheri - an internal report seems to have given a clean chit to the city’s civic body, which is facing charges of negligence.

In a statement on Monday evening the BMC said a “high level inquiry” found the Andheri road where the incident occurred is under the jurisdiction of the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited and the contractor Larsen & Toubro.

The BMC said the accident site and surrounding area was in possession of MMRCL and L&T since 2015 and also said it had pointed out “errors” found during site inspection.

"It was submitted to MMRCL, via letters dated August 24 and August 29, 2024 to L&T, that the Municipal Corporation is bound to meet any defects during the Defect Liability Period (DLP)."

"Overall, it is concluded MMRCL and L&T are responsible for making good the defects at the accident sites," the municipal body said, stressing also that its officials "have taken action from time to time".

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But the city body also admitted that since it’s a main road, the concerned municipal staff should have been on high alert when a red alert was declared for heavy rainfall.

The incident occurred at 9.20 pm near Gate 8 of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation office in Andheri East. The road was fully waterlogged due to heavy rainfall.

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Police and fire brigade took her to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead, an ADR has been filed.

Ms. Gaikwad’s husband who filed the police complaint said his wife was the family’s breadwinner. “I am a sick man... my wife used to take care... We have lost everything and I want that whoever is at fault should be punished,” he said.

Mumbai was lashed by rain last week and several roads were waterlogged and flights were affected at the city airport.

Seven people have died in separate manhole incidents in Mumbai this year.

The drain deaths also show a rise in manhole cover thefts in the city.

In 2023, Mumbai saw 791 manhole cover thefts. Manhole covers are made of cast iron and are worth ₹ 3,000 to ₹ 5,000 in the black market so they are a favorite among small time thieves.

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