Patna's Open Drains Claim Two Young Lives, Exposing Civic Safety Failures
In a tragic turn of events, two children recently lost their lives in separate incidents in Patna's Naubatpur and Phulwarisharif areas after falling into open drainage structures. These heartbreaking deaths have starkly exposed the glaring gap between civic safety mandates and the harsh ground reality faced by residents daily.
While municipal guidelines explicitly require agencies to implement steel mesh, reflective tapes, and sturdy barricades at all work sites, these critical protocols largely remain confined to paper. The absence of active monitoring by civic bodies has allowed contractors to leave pits and chambers dangerously exposed to unsuspecting pedestrians. These fatalities underscore a systemic failure in enforcing basic safety standards during ongoing infrastructure projects across the city.
Residents Voice Concerns Over Persistent Hazards
The daily experiences of Patna's inhabitants vividly reflect this alarming lack of oversight. Prabhas Kumar, a resident of Khemnichak, shared his distress, stating, "An open drain work has been ongoing in my area for over a month with barely any lighting around. It proves extremely dangerous because the barricading consists of a single piece of bamboo, which is unsteady and utterly unsafe."
In other neighborhoods, such hazards have persisted for years without any meaningful intervention. Dilip Kumar, from Ramkrishna Nagar, lamented, "For over two years, an open manhole has existed in my locality where children frequently play, posing a severe risk. Four-wheelers often get stuck there. We complained to our ward councillor about this issue six months ago, but it remains unresolved."
High-Traffic Zones Also at Risk
Even bustling commercial zones are not exempt from these pervasive risks. Ranjit Kumar, a shopkeeper near Patna Junction with his establishment located adjacent to a large open drain, expressed frustration, saying, "The construction work continued for two months, but after it ceased, no guards or mesh were installed. This is one of the main roads with absolutely no safety measures in place."
Despite a prescribed list of safety requirements, no part of Patna appears immune from such dangers. From upscale VIP areas like Boring Road to localities such as Rajiv Nagar, Shastrinagar, and Jakkhanpur, among others, these hazards are widespread and unaddressed.
Administrative Response Highlights Fragmented System
The administrative response reveals a fragmented system of responsibility. Ward councillor Ashish Kumar Sinha explained, "We regularly receive complaints regarding open drains and manholes and strive to resolve them promptly. The core issue is that multiple departments and private agencies dig up roads and leave open pits, yet when complaints arise, people solely blame the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC). To streamline efforts, only one department should oversee this."
Former deputy mayor Vinay Kumar Pappu added, "PMC lacks sufficient manpower, funds, and independence, which creates loopholes in ensuring safety in such critical situations."
New Hurdles Complicate Repair Processes
Furthermore, new administrative hurdles have significantly complicated the pace of essential repairs. Ward councillor Indradeep Kumar Chandravanshi noted, "Previously, if any such complaints were brought to our attention within our wards, we addressed them personally. However, current government protocols regarding e-tendering must now be followed, which delays the process of covering manholes or repairing open drains."
It is mandatory for all organizations and civic bodies to install reflective strips, barricades, and steel mesh around open drains, pits, and manholes. The primary challenge lies in the implementation of these safety protocols. The hazards arising from non-compliance are compounded by the immense difficulty of tracking excavation and reconstruction work across a city as expansive as Patna.
