BMC Officers Will Be Held Responsible If Any Untoward Incident Happens Due To Open Manholes In Mumbai: Bombay High Court

The division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Abhay Ahuja was hearing a contempt petition filed by lawyer Ruju Thakker about the bad conditions of roads and open manholes across the city.

Advocate Anil Sakhare for the BMC informed the court that the work was ongoing to close all open manholes.

"Good you (BMC) are working but till then if harm is caused to anyone, we will hold you responsible. We are appreciating the BMC but what happens if a manhole is open and someone falls down," Chief Justice Datta said. "In such a situation, we won't ask the aggrieved person to initiate civil suit (for compensation)...we will say that your officers are responsible," he added.

The court suggested that the BMC use modern technology so that the concerned officer is alerted immediately if the lid of a manhole is removed. The court also suggested use of iron grills below the manhole cover.

"In this modern day of science and technology, can't we think of something else. Why don't you (BMC) devise something by which you come to know if someone even touches the cover. Then a beep goes off in your office. Why don't you come up with something like a sensor?" the court asked.

The court had earlier said that all open manholes adjoining the Eastern Express Highway must be covered by December 1, while calling them a "death trap" after a 68-year-old woman fell into one such manhole and lost her life.

Emphasizing on the importance of permanent measures to address that issue of open manholes, the cost posted the matter for further hearing on December 19.

Case title – Ruju Thakker v. State of Maharashtra

Inputs form PTI