Open manhole at Begumpet posing danger to pedestrians

​Hyderabad: The threat from open manholes has not subsided as there are plenty of them still scattered across the city, posing danger to pedestrians, especially school children.

The Hans India team yet again spotted open manholes near Begumpet police lines that pose a serious threat to hundreds of people thronging nearby restaurants.

The Begumpet road is one of the busiest and important roads in the twin cities with thousands of commuters using this stretch to reach destinations as far as Ghatkesar on one end and Gachibowli on the other. “This manhole has remained in this state for several days now.

Pedestrians lose sight of it even during small showers as the drain overflows posing grave threat to pedestrians. Nobody is bothered about these manholes and nalas. Civic officials only wake up when something serious happens,” said Anil Kumar, a shopkeeper at Begumpet.

Commuters rued that these open manholes cannot be seen when there is heavy traffic as people will be in a hurry to reach home. “I travel everyday from East Marredpally to Madhapur crossing the police lines signal.

One day, I got stuck in the traffic and wanted to overtake a bus from the left. I failed to see the open manhole here because of which I suffered minor injuries.” said Nithin Singh, a hardware engineer.

Denizens in the area said that these open manholes exist despite clear instructions from Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Commissioner B Janardhan Reddy, who has asked his zonal commissioners to identify open manholes and repair them on priority.

Shopkeepers in the area urged the civic authorities to immediately initiate works before something tragic happens and also install warning boards in the interest of the pedestrians.

By: Chitra Sai Kumar