A tragic incident in Lucknow has highlighted the dangers of civic negligence, resulting in the death of a 60-year-old rickshaw-puller. The accident occurred on Wednesday morning near Jagrani Hospital in the Vikasnagar area, where the victim's vehicle plunged into an open drain.
Sequence of a Fatal Morning
According to police and local residents, the rickshaw-puller, identified as Lakhan, was on his daily routine to pick up schoolchildren for a private school. The morning took a horrific turn when a speeding vehicle allegedly rammed into his rickshaw from behind near a roadside drain. The impact was so severe that it broke through the boundary wall (parapet), sending both Lakhan and his rickshaw tumbling into the uncovered drain below.
Allegations of Negligence and Delayed Rescue
Angry locals have pointed fingers squarely at civic authorities, alleging gross negligence. They stated that the drain had remained uncovered for several days despite repeated complaints to the concerned departments. The situation was exacerbated by what residents claim was a delayed response from rescue officials.
It is reported that Lakhan lay trapped in the drain for nearly five agonizing hours before teams from the Lucknow Municipal Corporation and police could pull him out. By the time he was retrieved, it was too late. He was declared dead on the spot by doctors.
Official Response and Contradiction
The Lucknow Municipal Corporation issued a press release terming the incident "unfortunate." However, they denied any civic negligence. Officials cited CCTV footage which reportedly shows the rickshaw breaking through the parapet only after being hit by the speeding vehicle. They asserted that a team from Zone 7 reached the site promptly and shifted the victim to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
This statement stands in stark contrast to the accounts of local residents, who insist that an uncovered drain and slow rescue efforts turned an accident into a fatality. The incident has sparked outrage and renewed demands for better civic infrastructure and accountability in Lucknow.
