Manhole menace

Pedestrians and motorcyclists falling into uncovered manholes and succumbing to injuries is a tale as old as time. In another unfortunate incident, a two year old died after slipping into an open manhole in Karachi. The deceased’s father lamented over the callousness of the municipal authorities who had left the manhole uncovered for over 15 days. Karachi’s longstanding sewerage and maintenance problems have become a death sentence for innocent citizens. People face higher risks during the monsoon season as the roads are inundated with water and electricity outages last several days. Over the years, provincial government, mayors and governors have made tall claims regarding Karachi’s municipal affairs, but once in power, they either shift blame onto their predecessors or a lack of funds. The citizens are left to fend for themselves as usual. Locals often place cardboard lids or enclose open manholes with wires to prevent accidents, but these are not feasible solutions. Perhaps, the municipal authorities should work with law enforcement agencies and locals to prevent the theft of manhole lids. CCTV cameras should be installed to monitor and trace thieves. The provincial government and municipal administrations should consider replacing concrete lids with fibre ones or doing away with manholes altogether and installing sewerage maintenance shafts (SMS). Both of these are safer and more cost-effective solutions, which can also put an end to the theft of lids. However, in Karachi’s case, the question of funds and ownership still stands. The different stakeholders need to rally efforts to resolve the city’s infrastructure and maintenance problems instead of creating hurdles for one another. Karachiites must not lose their lives and loved ones because of the egoism and negligence of a few who rarely experience these issues in their daily lives. Published in The Express Tribune, August 21^st, 2023.