In Shorts
- Second fatal accident in a week as a man falls into an open manhole in Rohini, Delhi.
- Incident follows the death of a biker in an uncovered pit in Janakpuri.
- Public outcry grows over inadequate barricades and safety measures on city roads.
In a fresh tragedy highlighting persistent safety hazards on Delhi’s roads, a 32-year-old man died after falling into an uncovered manhole in the Rohini area of the national capital. The body was found after an overnight search, authorities said, underscoring ongoing concerns about unprotected road openings in the city.
The incident occurred just days after another deadly accident in West Delhi’s Janakpuri area, where a 25-year-old motorbike rider, identified as Kamal Dhyani, fell into a deep, unguarded pit dug for utility work. That earlier tragedy has drawn widespread criticism of civic negligence and inadequate safety measures at construction sites. Police and local residents have expressed alarm at the frequency of such preventable incidents.
In the Rohini case, the victim is reported to have slipped into the open manhole on Tuesday evening near Sector 32, close to a community landmark. Emergency services were called to the scene, but by the time rescuers reached the location, the man had already succumbed to his injuries. Local police are investigating the exact circumstances.
The earlier Janakpuri accident has triggered a multi-pronged response from city authorities. A preliminary post-mortem indicated that Dhyani died from suffocation and chest compression after falling into the pit, with soil blocking his airways and his motorcycle pressing down on him. Police registered a case of culpable homicide and have issued non-bailable warrants against two contractors tied to the work site.
Delhi Jal Board officials and contractors have come under scrutiny for leaving the excavation exposed without adequate barricades or reflective warnings, despite safety regulations mandating such precautions. A subcontractor in the Janakpuri case was arrested for failing to alert authorities after becoming aware of the victim’s fall, intensifying public debate about accountability among construction crews and supervising agencies.
In response to mounting outrage, the Public Works Department (PWD) has issued new directives for comprehensive safety inspections of traffic corridors, underpasses, drains and roadworks across the city. The department has warned that any trench, pit or excavation must be properly secured with reflective signage and barriers at all times to prevent further loss of life.
Civic activists and residents have called on authorities to enforce safety norms rigorously and to ensure that road and infrastructure works do not pose hazards to commuters. With two recent deaths linked to open road hazards, Delhi’s infrastructure safety protocols are facing heightened scrutiny from both the public and political leaders.
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