Another Child Dies in Open Manhole Despite Punjab Govt’s New Safety Measures

A seven-year-old boy tragically died after falling into an open manhole in Lahore's Hanjarwal area, casting doubt on Punjab's government's new safety measures. Rescue officials attributed the incident to inadequate street lighting. Local residents accused WASA workers of removing manhole covers for cleaning and leaving them exposed.

WASA officials denied responsibility, stating the area was not under their jurisdiction and that private workers were hired instead. The incident is particularly alarming as Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had mandated the installation of safety nets beneath manhole covers across the province in May to prevent such accidents.

The nets, made of polyester strips, were intended to serve as secondary safety barriers within manholes, gutters, and drainage systems. A pilot project was initiated in Gujranwala, with plans to cover 30,000 manholes with safety nets. The Punjab government has since made safety mesh installation mandatory for sewage manholes, requiring the use of a secondary mesh capable of withstanding up to 300 kilograms.

This tragic event underscores the effectiveness of such directives when uncovered manholes remain accessible in residential streets.