Mumbai commuter injured after slipping into open drain outside Sion station

The uncovered drain that Bhosale slipped into. Pic/Ritika Gondhalekar

A routine evening walk outside Sion railway station ended in injury for commuter Jayraj Bhosale after he slipped into an open drain near the western entrance on August 19. Bhosale sprained his leg and back, escaping a potentially worse accident. "Luckily, it's not a big hole and the drain was dry and not too deep. But I have sprained my leg and back," said Bhosale.

Neglected hazard

Jayraj Bhosale, the injured commuter

The drain cover had been broken for days. Though previously blocked by a dumped two-wheeler, commuters said the pit remained completely exposed for the past three days. Poor evening visibility makes the opening nearly invisible to thousands of daily commuters using the already congested approach road amid ongoing Sion bridge work.

[popcorn number="August 19" desc="Day Jayraj Bhosale slipped into the drain" class="Default"]

Obstacle Course

A dumped two-wheeler partially covers the hazardous drain Pics/Ritika Gondhalekar

Reaching the station has turned into a daily battle. Commuter Pratik Jadhav described the stretch as an obstacle course filled with garbage, construction debris, loose wires, and the open pit. "Navigating the area in the dark poses a serious risk as pedestrians cannot spot the broken section properly", he said.

Urgent demand

The uncovered drain near Sion station's western entrance is left exposed to thousands of daily commuters

Commuters have urged the authorities to immediately cover the drain or barricade the opening until permanent repairs are carried out, saying a more serious accident should not be the trigger for action.