Delhi's Open Pits Pose Grave Danger to Commuters, Spotlight on Civic Neglect
A recent ground investigation has uncovered a widespread and alarming issue across Delhi: open and inadequately barricaded pits that continue to endanger pedestrians and commuters on a daily basis. This problem has been thrust into the spotlight following the fatal Janakpuri incident, highlighting systemic failures in urban safety management.
Mathura Road: A Six-Week Hazard
On Mathura Road, near Bharat Mandapam and Pragati Maidan, an open pit filled with water has remained unattended for over six weeks. Locals report that the pit was created after a pipeline burst and has since been left exposed, with water frequently overflowing onto the road. The only protection provided is a stretch of loose caution tape, which offers minimal safety.
"The repair work has been at a snail's pace. Workers come for a couple of days and then vanish for long stretches," a resident explained, adding that the pit is believed to be around 18 feet deep. For two-wheeler riders, the danger increases significantly after sunset. Ravi Kumar, a 35-year-old biker from Usmanpur who works with an aggregator platform, noted that fog and low visibility make such stretches particularly hazardous. "At night, it becomes very risky. Pits, dug-up stretches, potholes — they are everywhere. We also have to balance the vehicle depending on how the customer sits," he said.
Daily Commuters Face Persistent Risks
For daily commuters, these hazards have become an unavoidable part of everyday travel. Rupak Rathi, 30, who regularly takes Mathura Road, emphasized that the lack of timely action by civic agencies has had serious consequences across Delhi-NCR. Referring to the recent death of a tech worker in Noida whose car crashed into an open pit, he stated, "Incidents like this are a daily affair now."
Safety Gaps Across Multiple Locations
Similar gaps in safety were observed at various other sites throughout the city:
- In Vikram Vihar, Lajpat Nagar IV, barricades were placed several steps after the pit began, making them easy to miss for both pedestrians and bikers, especially in the evening.
- Locals indicated that the work has been ongoing for a little over a week, but progress has been extremely slow. Govind Vallabh, 66, another resident, pointed out that prolonged pauses in the work heighten the risk to residents and commuters. "They leave the work unfinished for long periods," he said.
- Aakash, 24, a commuter, recounted a narrow escape while returning home in a cab. "There was debris everywhere. On one side was the pit; on the other was a wall. We got through with inches to spare."
- On Turkman Road, near Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg, a large open pit was found with sections of the safety net pulled down. Mud and debris had spilled onto the footpath and road, offering little protection to pedestrians or vehicles. Ashok Shukla, 47, who runs a grocery shop, commented, "The work might be necessary, but it's being carried out without proper safety measures."
Inadequate Barricades in Key Areas
Several other prominent locations, including Janpath and South Extension, had barricades in place. However, gaps and displaced barriers left enough room for pedestrians or bikers to stumble into excavation sites, particularly after dark. This consistent pattern of negligence underscores a citywide failure to implement basic safety protocols.
The cumulative evidence from these sites paints a troubling picture of civic neglect, where essential infrastructure repairs are not only delayed but also executed with a blatant disregard for public safety. As Delhi continues to grapple with these hazardous conditions, the urgent need for accountability and improved urban management becomes increasingly clear.
