Why Open Manholes Remain Mumbai's Biggest Monsoon Hazard
Why Open Manholes Remain Mumbai's Biggest Monsoon Hazard Published By, Last Updated: June 24, 2026, 19:22 IST Open manholes are dangerous throughout the year, but
Why Open Manholes Remain Mumbai's Biggest Monsoon Hazard Published By, Last Updated: June 24, 2026, 19:22 IST Open manholes are dangerous throughout the year, but they become particularly lethal during the monsoon when roads and footpaths are submerged under rainwater. Rapid Read Weeks before the onset of the monsoon, BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide had directed all civic departments to ensure that waterlogging spots were addressed and that no manholes remained open by May 31. (AI-generated photo) The monsoon arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday, nearly two weeks after its normal onset date. But with the rains came the city’s familiar problems — waterlogged roads, flooded low-lying areas, and disruptions to road and rail traffic. On Wednesday, the dangers posed by open drains and manholes became apparent when a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) employee fell into an open water channel during an inspection by Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawade. The incident occurred at Gandhi Market in King’s Circle, where the Mayor was reviewing waterlogging issues. The BMC supervisor was quickly rescued and escaped without serious injuries. The incident prompted Tawade to warn that officials in charge of wards where open manholes are found would face suspension. BMC Had Set A May 31 Deadline Weeks before the onset of the monsoon, BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide had directed all civic departments to ensure that waterlogging spots were addressed and that no manholes remained open by May 31.
She had instructed that protective grills be installed on all manholes and warned officials that no manhole should remain uncovered under any circumstances. Despite these instructions, Wednesday’s incident highlighted the challenges faced by the civic body every monsoon. High Court Pulled Up Authorities Last year, the Bombay High Court directed municipal corporations and other authorities to pay Rs 6 lakh compensation in cases of deaths caused by potholes or open manholes. The court also ordered ex gratia payments ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2.5 lakh for injuries suffered in such incidents. The court had observed that it did not find adequate seriousness on the part of authorities in addressing what it called a “perennial problem". In 2024, the High Court also directed the BMC to install permanent protective grills on all manholes. The Problem Of Stolen Covers While civic authorities are responsible for ensuring manholes are covered, theft of cast iron covers remains another major concern. According to an Indian Express report, 791 manhole covers were stolen in Mumbai in 2023. The figure stood at 836 in 2022, 564 in 2021, 458 in 2020 and 386 in 2019. Senior BMC officials told the newspaper that stolen cast iron covers are often sold for around Rs 1,000. Manhole Deaths Continue To Haunt Mumbai Though the BMC worker was rescued immediately on Wednesday, open manholes have claimed several lives over the years.
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