Missing Culvert Lid Leads to Tragic Death of Woman in Andheri's SEEPZ

*Incident Overview*

A tragic incident in SEEPZ, Andheri East, claimed the life of 45-year-old Vimal Gaikwad on Wednesday when she fell into a stormwater drain. The cause of the accident was identified as a missing lid from a roadside culvert, commonly referred to as a 'dhapa.' This incident has prompted an investigation by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

*Circumstances of the Accident*

According to BMC sources, the fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) lid over the culvert had likely been dislodged due to heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding. Gaikwad fell through the opening and was swept away nearly 50 feet by the strong water flow. Her body was retrieved later that night from a drain across the road.

*Investigation Underway*

In response to the incident, BMC chief Bhushan Gagrani established a three-member committee tasked with investigating the circumstances surrounding Gaikwad's death. The committee is led by Deputy Municipal Commissioner Devidas Kshirsagar, with Chief Fire Officer Ravindra Ambulgekar and Chief Engineer (Vigilance) Avinash Tambewagh as members. The committee's report is expected to be submitted within three days.

*Previous Incidents and Concerns

This tragic event is not isolated; there have been multiple instances in the past where dislodged FRP covers have led to accidents. Earlier this year, similar issues were reported on LBS Marg in Kurla, where heavy rains caused covers to shift due to excessive water pressure. Open manholes during monsoon season have also resulted in fatalities, including the death of Dr. Deepak Amrapurkar, a gastroenterologist, last year.

BMC sources clarified that Gaikwad fell into the culvert opening and not a manhole, countering earlier reports. The investigation is raising significant concerns about the safety of stormwater drain covers and the lack of surveillance in the area, particularly given that no CCTV footage is available to clarify the events leading up to the incident.

*Missing Surveillance Equipment*

The area where the accident occurred had streetlights removed due to ongoing Metro construction, leaving the site poorly lit and without surveillance. Reportedly, the CCTV cameras that typically operate on streetlight poles were absent, and additional cameras from a nearby power grid were switched off at the time of the incident. Compounding these issues, the missing FRP lid that caused the accident has yet to be retrieved.

As the investigation unfolds, the community remains in shock over the tragic loss and calls for better safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.