Broken Manhole Covers Still a Threat, HC Told

Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Wednesday pulled up the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) over its claim that it had resolved almost all complaints related to broken manhole chambers. While the civic body told the court it had acted on 338 of the 350 complaints, petitioner Asha Bhagat, through advocate Shilpa Girtkar, submitted 160 photographs to counter the claim. The pictures showed broken chambers, potholes, and incomplete works across the city.A division bench of Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Rajnish Vyas took serious note of the situation and directed the NMC to file its reply within a week. During the hearing, it emerged that over 10,000 chamber covers in the city are either broken or missing. The bench observed that open chambers, particularly during monsoon when submerged under water, pose a serious threat to citizens and animals and increase the risk of accidents.The petitioner also pointed out that the NMC has no mechanism to compensate victims of such incidents. Incomplete roadworks, she argued, are adding to traffic snarls, accidents, and loss of lives. Two-wheeler riders face an especially higher risk in these conditions, which worsens during the rainy season. The court stressed the urgent need for immediate corrective measures.