Father, Daughter Fall Into Open Drain; PCMC Safety Lapses Exposed

Monsoon safety concerns mount as drainage pit remains unbarricaded even a day after the incident

PUNAWALE : A man and his nine-year-old daughter fell into an approximately 10-foot-deep open drainage pit on the service road near Punawale Bazaar on Sunday. Both escaped with minor scratches, but the incident has raised serious concerns over pedestrian safety and the alleged negligence of civic authorities in securing open drainage infrastructure.

The man, identified as Shaji, works from home for Vensure, a company based in Noida. He was travelling with his wife and two daughters, including his nine-year-old elder daughter, Shenika, to attend a function. However, due to heavy rainfall and severe traffic congestion near the Punawale tunnel, the family decided to return home, which is approximately one kilometre away.

Recounting the incident, Shaji said, “The Punawale tunnel was completely jammed due to rain and traffic. We were on our way to attend a function, but the congestion was so severe that we decided to return home. Since our house was just one kilometre away, we got down and started walking.”

He said that he and his elder daughter were walking a few steps ahead of his wife and younger daughter when both suddenly fell into the open drainage pit.

“I initially thought my daughter had not fallen, but when I looked back, I realised that she had also fallen into the drain. I started shouting for help, following which some bike riders rushed to assist us and helped us get out,” he said.

Fortunately, neither Shaji nor Shenika sustained serious injuries. Both suffered minor scratches and escaped what could have been a much more serious accident.

Drain Still Without Barricades

Raising concerns over the civic administration’s response, Shaji alleged that the drainage pit remained open without any barricades even after the accident. He said that when the family revisited the spot at around 11 am on Monday, they found that no safety barricades had been installed to prevent pedestrians from accidentally falling into it.

The incident has once again highlighted the risks faced by pedestrians in Punawale, particularly during the monsoon, when heavy rainfall, waterlogging and traffic congestion force people to use alternative walking routes.

The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) must urgently inspect the spot and secure the open drainage pit with proper barricades and warning signs. Immediate preventive measures are essential to ensure that no other pedestrian, especially children, falls victim to such a potentially fatal accident.