Workers entered the drain without essential safety gear; Incident sparks outrage, locals raise serious questions over safety measures for such hazardous work
Local police and fire brigade at the site of the incident. PICS/SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
THREE workers suffocated to death after inhaling toxic gas inside a drainage chamber while repairing a BSNL cable in the Nigdi Pradhikaran area of Pimpri-Chinchwad city in Maharashtra on Friday.
Police said that four labourers had descended into the drainage chamber through a manhole to carry out the repair work when toxic gas reportedly leaked inside the line, leaving them with no chance to escape. They said the workers entered the manhole without essential safety gear or protective equipment. Police and the fire brigade rushed to the spot as soon as the incident was reported. They pulled out three bodies and a fourth worker was rescued and rushed to a hospital in critical condition.
Dr Shrikrishna Joshi, vice president of Lokmanya Hospital, Nigdi, told mid-day, “On Friday, at around 4.30 pm, the workers were brought to the hospital, but by that time they were dead.”
The deceased have been identified as Datta Honale, 38; Lakhan Dhaware, 35; and Sahebrao Girset.
The incident has sparked outrage among locals who raised serious questions over safety measures for such hazardous work. Locals have questioned both the BSNL management and the administration for failing to enforce proper safety protocols.
“Why were adequate safety measures not taken to prevent such a disaster?” asked several residents, pointing to recurring safety lapses in drainage repair and maintenance work.
The local administration has taken serious note of the tragedy, promising assistance to the bereaved families. Officials have also directed the implementation of stricter safety regulations to prevent such incidents in the future.
Citizens have urged both the civic administration and utility companies to prioritise worker safety over operational speed.
Meanwhile, an investigation has been launched into the incident. Authorities say that they will examine whether the workers were provided with mandatory safety equipment and training before being sent into the manhole and warn of legal action against concerned officials if negligence is established.
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