2,205 Mumbai Manholes Still Unprotected: Safety Lapses Exposed

As of July 8, 2026, a concerning 2,205 sewer manholes across Mumbai are still awaiting the installation of protective grills or covers. This critical safety lapse has come to light days after a 55-year-old man tragically lost his life after falling into an open manhole. The Bombay High Court has questioned the civic authorities regarding their measures for securing these open hazards.

BMC records indicate that the monsoon preparedness guideline mandating completion of such installations by May 31 has been missed. While installation work is ongoing, officials now state it will be completed by July 26. The highest number of pending installations is in south Mumbai's C ward, with 637 manholes, due to narrow and congested roads.

Delays in road concreting and nighttime working windows due to busy roads are cited as reasons for the setback. A recent report indicated that inspections of all manholes will now commence in January, nearly two months earlier than the usual pre-monsoon schedule, to allow for more lead time for corrective measures.

Civic officials mentioned that many manholes are in busy road medians, necessitating installation work during minimal traffic periods at night. Overall, Mumbai has 73,437 sewer manholes, with most already covered. The BMC is enhancing its monitoring systems and has geotagged all manholes for real-time condition data.