Death traps on Panthapath

This open manhole near the Samorita Hospital in Panthapth poses danger to commuters. PHOTO: STAR

Pedestrians and vehicles are exposed to risk of accident, as the cover of a sewerage line on Panthapath, one of the busy roads in the city, remained open for almost one month.

Dhaka Water and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) workers had opened the cover on the western part of the Panthapath towards Russell Square for sewerage line repair work. The work is yet to start but the hole remains open.

"This is a death trap," said a shopkeeper in the area. He said accidents are happening almost every day due to the open hole. He said quite often autorickshaws and cars get their wheels stuck on one side of the hole.

The rectangular concrete cover of the sewer lines has been kept beside the hole that also blocked a part of the road. Locals said such open manholes get submerged after heavy rain and then it becomes difficult for pedestrians and vehicles to spot the holes.

Ahmed Mansur, a furniture shop owner said, "It has been almost a month that the concrete slabs are removed. We are losing customers for this."

Sharif Ahmed who lives in Kalabagan said, "On my way home, I always use the Panthapath. A few days back I suddenly fell into an open manhole on the road. I sustained serious injury in my waist. Nearby people took me to a hospital."

Morshed Alam, owner of a barbers shop on the road said, "We have made complaints to the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) but they did not take any action."

When asked, Chief Conservancy Officer of DCC Sohel Farouquie said, "This has been done by Dhaka Wasa. We have asked them to take action."

A top official of Dhaka Wasa however said they would take step immediately. "We are well aware of the problem. After finishing the sewerage line work in Segunbagicha, we will start the work in Panthapath," he said.

The open manholes and sewer lines often cause serious accidents. Four-year-old Nurjahan, who fell in a manhole at Shahidnagar in Lalbagh area, met the tragic end of her life on October 13 last year.