Above 400 manhole covers has been reported to be stolen from the start of 2023. The BMC registered 50 first information reports (FIR) during a seven-month span as a result of the 400 or so manhole covers that were stolen from the months of January to August. 57 stealing on average have been reported every single month.
When it began to report cases involving manhole cover stealing to officers in June, the BMC went into operation. The information is now important and should be considered because the HC has repeatedly objected to the municipal organisation for neglecting to cover exposed manholes, which turn into gaping dangers during the monsoon.
Stolen covers comparatively less than 2022
The five-month data indicates that, on average, 55 manhole covers had been stolen each month. It is a frightening number before rainfall, although considerably less compared to 70 each month in 2022.
Manhole covers had been stolen roughly 75 for the first five months of the current year, implying that the amount stolen may surpass that of 2021, even though it is not 2022.
Manhole covers being sold in Black Market
The official said, “These manhole covers attract a decent price when traded in the scrap market because they are composed of cast iron.
According to a civic official, cast iron manhole cover panels are often stolen since they sell for between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 in the black market to drug dealers and small-time thieves. According to civic data, 836 manhole lids had been stolen in 2022, the most in the previous four years.
Additionally, the municipal corporation cautioned scrap dealers with severe consequences if they bought stolen covers. A renowned civic official remarked, “However, the complaints are filed largely against unidentifiable people, who are hardly caught by the police”
The BMC needs to issue a firm warning to scrap merchants not to engage in stolen manhole covers in cooperation with the Mumbai police. Residents needs to be on alert and act as the police’s ears and visions.
BMC ordered a work order to detect theft
When a theft occurs, the ward contacts the neighbourhood police department right away. The earliest possible manhole cover replacement is considered. However, there are situations when we have difficulties since we might not have exactly identical manhole cover on hand.
A work order for a trial scheme to prevent the stealing of manhole covers has now been issued by the BMC. 14 manhole covers throughout the city will have alarms mounted on them, and once they are forcefully removed, the alarms will sound, alarming the sewerage operation control centre.
Uncovered manholes have wiped out people’s lives, particularly during floods and this issue needs to be addressed and act upon soon.