Home / Disasters and Accidents / Children Die as Patna Ignores Drain Safety
Children Die as Patna Ignores Drain Safety
21 Feb
Summary
- Two children died recently in Patna due to open drainage structures.
- Safety protocols like steel mesh and barricades are often ignored.
- Residents complain of long-standing hazards and delayed repairs.
Tragic incidents in Patna have led to the deaths of two children who fell into open drainage structures. These events in Naubatpur and Phulwarisharif expose a significant disconnect between established safety regulations and their actual implementation. Municipal guidelines stipulate the use of safety features such as steel mesh, reflective tapes, and barricades at infrastructure work sites, yet these protocols are largely disregarded.
The lack of active monitoring by civic authorities allows contractors to leave excavation pits and chambers unsecured. This oversight failure is evident across Patna, from VIP areas to residential neighborhoods, with residents reporting persistent hazards like open manholes and unprotected drains for months or even years. Many residents express frustration over the slow response to their complaints and the use of inadequate safety measures, such as single bamboo poles for barricading.
Officials acknowledge the problem, pointing to a fragmented system of responsibility where multiple departments and private agencies contribute to roadwork but blame is often directed solely at the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC). Issues like manpower shortages, insufficient funds, and new administrative e-tendering protocols further complicate and delay necessary safety repairs. The core challenge remains the consistent implementation and tracking of safety standards across the sprawling city.
