Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai: A 45-year-old woman lost her life after falling into an overflowing drain during heavy rainfall in Andheri late Wednesday night, prompting the Mumbai Police to file an FIR against the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and a contractor. The victim, identified as Vimal Anil Gaikwad, was the primary breadwinner of her family.
Her husband, who lodged the police complaint, expressed his grief and demanded justice, saying, “We have lost everything, and I want those responsible to be punished.”
In response to the incident, the BMC has ordered an inquiry and formed a three-member panel led by Deputy Commissioner Devidas Kshirsagar, with Chief Fire Officer Ravindra Ambulgekar and Chief Engineer Avinash Tambe as members. The committee has been tasked with submitting a report within three days.
Incident Details
The tragic accident occurred when Gaikwad fell into a manhole near Gate 8 of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation building in Andheri East. Despite efforts by the police and fire brigade, she was declared dead at Cooper Hospital.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about safety during heavy rains in Mumbai, with at least seven manhole-related deaths reported this year. Additionally, the rise in manhole cover thefts—791 cases recorded in 2023—has further exacerbated safety issues in the city.
