Tragic Drowning in Andheri East: BMC Orders Inquiry into Open Drain Incident

In a heartbreaking incident, a 45-year-old woman drowned in an open drain in the MIDC area of Andheri East during heavy rainfall on Wednesday evening. The victim, identified as Vimal Gaikwad, was a security guard at SEEPZ industrial area and the sole breadwinner for her family, as her husband suffers from mental health issues.

Around 8:30 PM, Gaikwad was returning home and, opting for a bus to avoid waterlogged roads, attempted to cross the street. While navigating the divider, she slipped and fell into an open drain, obscured by the flooding. Witnesses, including a rickshaw driver, promptly alerted the police via emergency services.

Emergency responders, including police and fire brigade personnel, arrived on the scene and conducted a search for about an hour before locating Gaikwad approximately 50 feet from the culvert. Despite being rushed to Cooper Hospital, she was pronounced dead upon arrival. The MIDC police have since registered a case of accidental death.

Gaikwad’s neighbor, Sangita Sivsharan, who has a close relationship with the couple, recounted how they began to worry when Gaikwad did not return home. After attempts to contact her failed, they received the devastating news from the police.

Local residents have voiced their outrage over the incident, demanding accountability from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the road contractor for leaving the drain uncovered. Sivsharan insisted on holding those responsible accountable, stating, “The contractor should be blacklisted and arrested for negligence.”

In response to the incident, BMC chief Bhushan Gagrani has ordered a three-member inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding Gaikwad’s drowning. The committee will be chaired by Devidas Kshirsagar, the deputy commissioner of Zone-3, alongside Chief Fire Officer Ravindra Ambulgekar and Chief Engineer (Vigilance) Avinash Tambewagh. Gagrani has requested a report within three days.

The tragedy has resurfaced memories of similar incidents, notably the 2017 drowning of Dr. Deepak Amarapurkar, a gastroenterologist, who fell into a manhole during heavy rains and was found days later. This latest incident underscores ongoing concerns about public safety and infrastructure management during the monsoon season.