04 June,2026 08:15 AM IST | Mumbai | The Editorial
Representation pic
It was too near but thankfully yet too far for a well-known city chef, who claimed he suffered a car accident because of a loose manhole cover.
In our report on Wednesday, we cited how the 60-plus-year-old man was driving his car down Malabar Hill towards Kemps Corner when it went over a manhole. Apparently, the loose cover dislodged from its place and lodged beneath the car. The vehicle swerved sharply and crashed into a light pole.
The driver had minor injuries. He had a major escape overall, though, because if his car had breached a wall and fallen down at Kemps Corner on the traffic, the result would have been disastrous. While the authorities refused to comment on the issue, we take note not just of this case but of manhole and gutter covers everywhere.
Those responsible must ensure that these are fixed and in place. Loose covers for any reason need attention immediately. A team needs to be dispatched and the cover fixed. Every minute, not hour, is a disaster waiting to happen with a loose covering or cover.
If an immediate fix cannot be found, cordon off that little space with a barricade or poles so that pedestrians and vehicles cannot access it at all.
We simply cannot have any kind of manhole incidents that have resulted in accidents and, in extreme cases, deaths. We also have the monsoon, which will arrive any day now. Floods mean lids need to be strong and tightly fixed, as they can be even more dangerous in this season. This has been proven so many times.
Cut the red tape and move fast on covers and prevent what is an easily preventable accident or tragedy.
