Man dies after falling into open manhole in Mumbai amid heavy rains
A 55-year-old man died after falling into an open manhole in Mumbai's Chandivali area during heavy rains on Thursday, leading to the suspension of four Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials and the formation of a high-level inquiry committee, officials said.
The incident occurred on Khariani Road in the western suburbs when three contractual workers had removed the manhole cover to install a protective grill on a sewer line. The victim, identified as Aslam Ishaq Shaikh, was allegedly talking on his mobile phone and accidentally fell into the opening.
CCTV footage shows the moment of the accident
CCTV footage from the area showed Shaikh walking past a tempo and suddenly disappearing. Workers at the scene were seen peering into the open manhole. Fire brigade and civic disaster management teams launched a search operation. Initially, workers lowered a ladder but found only his umbrella and slippers. Due to the strong water flow, the direction in which he was swept could not be determined immediately.
"A fireman equipped with breaching apparatus descended into the underground line and the man was pulled out," an official said. Shaikh was rushed to Rajavadi Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Four BMC officials suspended, contractor blacklisted
The BMC suspended four officials from the L-ward: Assistant Commissioner Dhanaji Herlekar, Assistant/Sub-Engineer (Maintenance) Deepak Chougule, Junior Engineer (Maintenance) Abhijit Chougule, and Assistant Engineer (Sewerage Operations) Uttam Patil. The release stated that prima facie, the contractor had failed to ensure adequate safety measures at the site. The contractor has been blacklisted.
Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide constituted a high-level inquiry committee headed by the Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) to probe the death and recommend preventive measures. The committee has been asked to submit its report within seven days.
Civic body orders inspection of all manholes
The BMC directed all departments to ensure barricading around manhole work sites and ordered a 100% inspection of all manholes across Mumbai within the next eight days. Mayor Ritu Tawde, who visited the spot, announced an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the family of the deceased. Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi said the civic body will file a case against the contractor, holding him responsible for "homicide."
Political reactions over monsoon preparedness
The incident drew sharp reactions from various leaders. Kishori Pednekar, Shiv Sena (UBT) member and opposition leader in the BMC, questioned the absence of adequate safety measures around the open manhole. Former MP and Shiv Sena leader Milind Deora described the death as a preventable tragedy, posting on X: "How many more Mumbaikars must die before basic civic safety becomes a priority? Open manholes are not 'accidents', they are result of negligence, failed systems and lack of accountability." The matter was also raised in the Maharashtra assembly.
This is the second rain-related death reported in Mumbai this week. The incident underscores concerns over civic infrastructure and monsoon preparedness in the city.
