Broken lids of manholes spark safety fear in city

Broken covers of the manholes in different areas of the city can lead to a mishap anytime, but the civic body is not paying heed toward the problem. The residents claimed that the officials concerned have failed to pay attention towards the broken covers, which should be changed immediately.

Some of the councillors have also complained about the broken lids to the Municipal Corporation (MC), but to no avail.

A city resident, Ramesh Kumar, said, “The lid of a manhole has broken a few months back in street number 1 of Surjit Nagar of Giaspura, but nothing has been done to repair or replace it. The pedestrians pass from near the broken manholes carefully, but any mishap could occur at night. Children used to play on road, but we have strictly stopped them from playing here. We request the MC officials to pay attention towards the broken cover of the manhole.”

Another broken lid of manholes can be seen on 33 Feet Road near Giaspura from where hundreds of vehicles pass every day.

A woman, who runs a cart of sugarcane juice on 33 Feet Road, said, “Some part of the lid was levelled with the road during metalling, but it has broken again. So it should replaced as soon as possible. It is more dangerous at night because a person's foot could get stuck in it.”

This is not the problem in one area, but several lids are in pathetic condition in ward number 55 also.

War councilor Balkar Singh said, “I have been complaining about the broken lids for the past some months to the officials concerned of the MC, but the matter is not being taken seriously. It is the responsibility of the civic body to ensure safety of people.”

When contacted, MC commissioner Shruti Singh said she would look into the matter. She assured that the broken lids would be replaced on priority-basis.