Man Dies After Falling Into Uncovered Drain in Bhubaneswar Slum
A 45-year-old man died on Thursday after slipping into an uncovered drain at Salia Sahi, one of Bhubaneswar's largest slum clusters. The victim, identified as Sinu Gagarai, sustained severe head injuries in the accident.
Police rushed Gagarai to Capital Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. The Maitree Vihar police station registered an unnatural death case and launched an investigation into the incident.
Residents Voice Anger Over Civic Negligence
Local residents expressed outrage over the incident, claiming they had repeatedly complained about the dangerous open drain. "We demanded proper covers for months, but nothing was done," said Rohit Jena, a Salia Sahi resident. "These drains are death traps."
Tarakanta Majhi, another resident, criticized the civic body's failure to ensure public safety. "The recurring mishaps expose the seriousness of the authorities. This is not acceptable," Majhi stated.
Widespread Problem Across the City
This tragedy was not an isolated incident. Bhubaneswar has witnessed several similar accidents over the years. According to civic data, over 27 kilometers of drains remain uncovered throughout the city.
Experts point to poor planning and inadequate safety measures, particularly during monsoon season. "Open drains are a ticking time bomb," warned city-based urban planner Dipu Nanda. "The city needs urgent intervention to prevent such avoidable deaths."
Nanda emphasized that Bhubaneswar has 11 natural drainage channels requiring proper protection for both environmental preservation and public safety.
Authorities Respond to the Tragedy
A senior Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation official said they were reviewing the incident and would take corrective measures. "We are not yet sure that the man died after falling into the drain," the official stated. "However, covering drains and installing barricades remains our top priority."
The BMC has faced similar tragedies before. In August 2024, a nine-year-old boy died after being swept away in an open drain at Unit-III. Following that incident, the corporation took several proactive steps:
- Barricaded all natural drainage channels
- Covered large drains with concrete slabs
- Removed an engineer from duty
City Mayor Sulochana Das acknowledged the ongoing safety concerns. "We took the matter on priority following the 2024 incident," Das said. "We are completely aware and working to ensure people's safety from such mishaps."
The National Human Rights Commission has repeatedly directed authorities to implement safety measures around open drains, but implementation remains incomplete across the city.
