Manhole – Worker Dies After Falling Into Uncovered Sewer in Delhi
Manhole – A 27-year-old construction worker lost his life after reportedly falling into an open manhole in northwest Delhi, marking the second such fatal incident in the capital within days. The tragedy occurred in Rohini Sector 32’s Begumpur area and has once again drawn attention to civic safety and infrastructure management in the city.
Incident Reported After PCR Calls
According to Delhi Police, a call was received at Begumpur Police Station around 2:36 p.m. on Tuesday, alerting authorities that a person might have fallen into a sewer. A follow-up call was made around 4 p.m., prompting police teams to rush to the location.
The deceased has been identified as Birju, a resident of Bihar’s Samastipur district who had been working as a labourer in Delhi. Officials said the uncovered sewer was located on a vacant plot owned by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). The manhole cover was allegedly missing at the time of the incident.
Events Leading to the Fall
Preliminary investigation suggests that the incident took place on Monday evening. A fellow worker, Budhan Das, told police that he and Birju had consumed alcohol and were returning to their makeshift accommodation around 7:30 p.m. when Birju reportedly lost his footing and fell into the open drain.
Budhan Das admitted that he did not immediately inform anyone, stating that he was heavily intoxicated and unable to comprehend the situation. The matter came to light later after he regained clarity and shared details about what had happened.
Another individual, Amir Hussain, contacted police and reported that his friend had fallen into the manhole the previous night, leading to the formal search operation.
Rescue Operation and Recovery
After receiving the information, police alerted the fire brigade, the Delhi Development Authority, and other relevant agencies. A rescue operation was initiated at the site. Fire personnel assisted in retrieving the body from the sewer.
The remains were subsequently sent to a hospital for post-mortem examination and other legal procedures. Police confirmed that further investigation is ongoing to determine responsibility and examine possible lapses.
Residents Raise Safety Concerns
Local residents expressed anger over what they described as negligence by civic authorities. Several people alleged that multiple manholes along the stretch had been left uncovered and that adequate safety measures were missing.
An eyewitness said that sewer covers were placed only after the accident occurred. According to locals, poor lighting in the area made it difficult to see hazards on the road at night. Some residents claimed that the absence of street lights and open drains posed a serious risk to pedestrians, especially children who regularly use the route.
People in the neighbourhood said they began searching for Birju after he was reported missing. His slipper was reportedly found near the open drain, raising suspicion that he had fallen inside.
Residents have demanded accountability from the administration, arguing that such incidents highlight serious gaps in urban infrastructure management and public safety oversight.
Second Fatal Accident in a Week
The incident comes shortly after another fatal accident in Delhi. Last week, Kamal Dhyani, an assistant manager at a Rohini branch of HDFC Bank, died when his motorcycle reportedly plunged into a deep pit. The excavation was allegedly carried out by the Delhi Jal Board for sewer-related work and was said to have been inadequately secured.
With two deaths linked to open drains and excavation sites in a short span, concerns over public safety and infrastructure maintenance have intensified across parts of the national capital.
Police officials stated that they are examining all aspects of the Rohini incident and will take appropriate action based on the findings of the investigation.