BMC to fit metal nets in 1,450 manholes

Nearly five months after a top gastroenterologist lost his life after falling into an open manhole, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has floated tenders to install metal nets below the cover at 1,450 spots in the island city.

The stormwater drains department of the civic body will spend Rs 1.2 crore on the project, which is expected to be completed by June.

The nets, which will be fitted 6 feet below the cover, will prevent people or big objects from falling into the drain pits. Dr Deepak Amrapurkar died after slipping into one such open manhole while wading through an inundated road in Parel on August 29 last year.

"The metal nets will be strong enough that any heavy object cannot flow inside when the manhole covers are opened, especially during heavy rains. We will finish fitting the nets to 1,450 identified manholes before the monsoon," said V Khandkar, chief engineer of SWD.

While the island city has manholes running into lakhs, the BMC has identified manholes at crucial flood spots, he said. It extends from Colaba in the south to Mahim and Sion in the north.