MCD covers manholes in Sadar Bazar

Two days ago, MiD DAY had reported that a trader fell to his death in one of these manholes after they were left uncovered by the Corporation

MCD covers manholes in Sadar Bazar

Two days ago, MiD DAY had reported that a trader fell to his death in one of these manholes after they were left uncovered by the Corporation

Within two days of MiD DAY reporting the death of a trader in Sadar Bazar area due to falling inside a manhole left uncovered by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the civic agency fell in line.

Quick action
On Thursday, all of the eight manholes on the same stretch near the Sadar-Paharganj area were covered by the civic body to prevent any more accidents.

Heavy price: Mukesh Arora (below), the secretary of the Federation
of Sadar Bazar Traders Association (FESTA), who died after falling in
a manhole. File pic

The civic agency had been carrying out some sewer repair work in the area, but failed to cover the holes. Nearly 10 craters, each 18-20 feet in depth, had been lying uncovered in the area for the last 25 days. Mukesh Arora (59), trader and secretary of the Federation of Sadar Bazar Traders Association (FESTA) paid for this with his life two days ago.

Protest
The MCD then came to the rescue of the locals and filled up the scary manholes. In protest against the incident, angry traders on Tuesday shut the market after 2 pm. According to them, the civic agency is responsible for the loss and should claim responsibility for the same.

According to vice-chairman of the association, Paramjit Singh Pamma, both the MCD and the Jal Board are passing the buck to each other, which has led to the death of a person.

'MCD at fault'
"The trader was killed because of sheer negligence. Had they been responsible, a life would not have been wasted just like that," he said. The traders claim it was basically the corporation's fault.

"It always happens like this. The authorities keep blaming each other, but don't do anything till something tragic happens. Yet, we are relieved now that the deathly pits are covered," said Mahendra Kumar, another trdaer in the area.