Uncovered Sewer Pit Turns Deadly in Zirakpur, Injuring Mother and Son
A dangerous sewer excavation left unattended for months became the site of a serious accident in Zirakpur's Ward No. 7, injuring a woman and her 12-year-old son. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening when the mother was riding her scooter with her children and the vehicle toppled directly into the unbarricaded pit.
Months of Neglected Hazard
Residents revealed that the road had been excavated approximately three months earlier for sewer pipeline installation work. Despite the completion of the pipeline project, the excavation site remained neither properly filled nor secured with any safety measures. No warning signage, reflectors, or barriers were present to alert commuters about the hazardous opening in the roadway.
The accident happened in broad daylight, with the scooter plunging into the unprotected pit. The woman sustained internal injuries, while her son, Hrithik Devda, suffered a serious head injury requiring four stitches. He was immediately rushed to Sector 6 Hospital in Panchkula, where he continues to receive medical treatment.
Community Outrage and Protest
"If this dangerous incident could occur during daylight hours, imagine the catastrophic risk it presents at night," stated a local shopkeeper. "This represents nothing less than criminal negligence by the responsible authorities."
Angered residents staged a protest at the accident site, demanding accountability and strict action against both municipal officials and the contractor. They alleged that repeated complaints to the Zirakpur Municipal Council and Sewerage Department had produced no corrective action over the preceding months.
"This was a preventable accident waiting to happen," emphasized one resident. "An innocent child has been seriously injured because basic safety protocols were completely ignored. This location has remained a danger zone for weeks without intervention."
Official Response and Investigation
Jasbir Singh of the Zirakpur Sewerage Board commented, "The sewer pipeline installation work has been completed, and we are currently installing interlocking tiles. If an open pit was indeed left at the site, we will immediately seek an explanation from the contractor and ensure safety tape is installed without delay."
However, residents countered that post-accident safety measures cannot undo the damage already inflicted. They demanded appropriate compensation for the injured family and called for a comprehensive safety audit of all ongoing civic work sites throughout the town.
The incident has reignited serious questions about monitoring procedures for public infrastructure projects and whether civic agencies prioritize project deadlines over fundamental public safety considerations.
Formal Inquiry Ordered
Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal has taken serious note of the accident and ordered a formal investigation. "A four-member committee has been constituted to thoroughly enquire into this incident and submit a detailed report within three days," confirmed the DC.
The committee, headed by the Joint Deputy Director of Urban Development, has been tasked with:
- Conducting an immediate site inspection
- Reviewing the roles and responsibilities of both the contractor and concerned departments
- Fixing clear accountability for the negligence
- Recommending appropriate disciplinary action against those found responsible
This alarming incident underscores the critical need for stringent safety protocols and diligent oversight in public infrastructure projects to prevent such dangerous situations from endangering community members.
