Uncovered Sewer Pit Injures Mother and Son in Zirakpur, Sparks Public Outrage
A dangerous sewer pit left uncovered for months in Zirakpur's Ward No. 7 turned into a near-fatal hazard on Tuesday evening, causing serious injuries to a woman and her 12-year-old son. The incident has ignited widespread anger among local residents, who accuse municipal authorities of criminal negligence in failing to secure the excavation site.
Details of the Accident
The accident occurred when the woman was riding her scooter with her children through the area. According to eyewitness accounts, the road had been dug up approximately three months earlier for sewer pipeline installation work. Despite the completion of the pipeline project, the deep excavation remained neither filled nor properly barricaded, lacking any warning signage or reflective markers to alert commuters.
As the scooter traversed the hazardous stretch, it lost balance and toppled directly into the unguarded pit. The woman sustained significant internal injuries in the fall, while her son, identified as Hrithik Devda, suffered a serious head injury that required four stitches at Sector 6 Hospital in Panchkula, where he continues to receive medical treatment.
Residents Express Fury and Frustration
Local shopkeepers and residents expressed outrage that such an incident could occur in broad daylight, highlighting the extreme danger the uncovered pit posed to the community. "If this can happen during daytime hours when visibility is good, imagine the catastrophic risk this pit presented at night," stated one shopkeeper. "This represents nothing less than criminal negligence on the part of those responsible for public safety."
Community members revealed they had filed multiple complaints with both the Zirakpur Municipal Council and the sewerage department over the past weeks, yet no corrective action was taken to secure the dangerous excavation. "This was an accident waiting to happen," emphasized one resident. "An innocent child has been seriously injured because basic safety protocols were completely ignored by the authorities."
Official Response and Investigation
In response to the growing public anger, residents staged a protest at the accident site, demanding accountability and strict disciplinary action against both the responsible officials and the contractor overseeing the sewer project. They called for compensation for the injured family and a comprehensive safety audit of all ongoing civic work sites throughout Zirakpur.
Jasbir Singh, a representative from the Zirakpur sewerage board, acknowledged the incident, stating, "The sewer pipeline installation work has been completed, and we are currently in the process of installing interlocking tiles. If an open pit was indeed left unattended at the site, we will immediately seek an explanation from the contractor and ensure that proper safety tape is installed without delay."
However, residents countered that such post-accident measures cannot undo the physical and emotional damage already inflicted. The incident has reignited critical questions about the monitoring of public infrastructure projects and whether civic agencies are prioritizing project deadlines over fundamental public safety considerations.
Formal Inquiry Ordered
Taking serious note of the accident, Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal has ordered a formal investigation into the matter. A four-member committee has been constituted to conduct a thorough enquiry and submit its findings within three days. This committee, headed by the Joint Deputy Director of Urban Development, has been tasked with:
- Conducting an immediate site inspection
- Reviewing the role and responsibilities of both the contractor and concerned municipal departments
- Fixing accountability for the negligence
- Recommending appropriate disciplinary action against those found responsible
The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the potentially deadly consequences when basic safety measures are overlooked during public works projects, leaving communities vulnerable to preventable accidents.
