Image Source: Hynds Pipe System.
In reply to the question posed by the Bombay HC on last hearing about why they have installed protective grills only in 1,908 manholes leaving out 72,774 manholes uninstalled. BMC responded on Monday by assuring that it will install protective grills in the remaining 72,774 manholes within June 2024.
ABOUT THE CASE/CASE HISTORY:
In a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) filed by the Advocate Ruju Thakkur, who was seeking a contempt of court action to be initiated against the civil authorities for failing to implement the previous High Court Orders of 2018.
These are the pictures of uncovered manholes in Mumbai.
BENCH:
This case came for hearing before the bench comprising of The Acting Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Arif Doctor.
PREVIOUS HEARING:
The High Court Last week asked BMC that why can’t they install protective grills all over the Mumbai city to prevent the persons and animals from falling into an open manhole.
In reply the BMC stated that it has already installed the protective grills in flood prone areas to be precise they have installed in 1,908 manholes for which the judges questioned that why they have not installed in non-flood prone areas where accidents are likely to occur in Monsoon season. As a civil authority they must ensure the safety of all the people.
Senior Advocate Anil Sakhare, who is appearing for BMC stated that each protective grill costs around Rs. 14,000, so only manholes in flood prone areas are being covered. He assured that in the event of a Manhole being stolen, the concerned ward officer will be replacing within eight hours.
For which, Advocate Jamshed Mistry stressed that if spending Rs. 14,000 could save lives then they should do so. The HC suggested that an inbuilt Mechanism can be built so that it can prevent if anybody falls into the man hole, the fall can be arrested.
CURRENT HEARING:
In Reply to the questions posed by the court, Advocate Anil Sakhare submitted the minutes of the meeting of BMC where they have decided that they would install protective grills in the remaining 72,774 manholes by June 2024.
BMC said they will allot more workers to finish the work within the time period.
BOMBAY HC ‘S REACTION TO ONE YEAR TIME GAP:
Bombay HC’s reaction to BMC’s plan to cover all the manholes by June 2024 was not welcoming . It stated that “One year” time gap is too long but it also acknowledges that BMC has come up with but it does not want any accident to happen.
It said “One Year is too long. One Monsoon is enough for some untoward incident to happen. We do not want any mishap. Is there no simple and temporary mechanism?”- The Bench asked.
And added that what they are planning to do is an elaborate mechanism and if there is not any simpler method to prevent the fall.
NO TEMPORARY MECHANISM HAS BEEN STATED:
The Bench also expressed it’s concern stating that no temporary mechanism has been planned to prevent the fall till the work gets over. So it has asked BMC to come up with a temporary solution to prevent the fall till it’s completion of installing grills in the manholes.
BMC’S REPLY:
Adv. Sakhare replied that this issue will be discussed by BMC officers in a meeting which is to be held on June 23.
NEXT HEARING:
The Bench then posted the next hearing on June 26.
Precedent case:
A doctor was drowned in the manhole during heavy rain. So people approached the HC where it came up with the idea of installing protective grills in manholes on 2018 and gave directions to the civil authorities to implement it.
Till now only 1,908 manholes are only installed with protective grills leaving behind 72,774 manholes. Let’s hope that all the manholes are being made protective by June 2024.
