Hyderabad: The preliminary report of the investigation ordered by the Sewerage Board into the death of four persons at Ayyappa Society on Saturday, found that the manhole was opened illegally, as the Division 8 staff was not informed. It is mandatory for the Sewerage Board to be informed even if the work is being carried out by a contractor.
Board chief M. Dana Kishore said Saturday’s incident had nothing to do with operation and maintenance of the manhole, He said it fell under the JNNURM project, sanctioned in 2013. No Board officer can be held responsible since the works were being done under the project, he said.
“It is a crime to open a manhole without a sewer inspector and without taking safety measures. A detailed report will be submitted after the board officer completes the investigation,” he said.
Mr Kishore told all the general managers (engineering) to personally inspect the ongoing water supply and sewerage works and urged them to pay attention to maintaining adequate precautionary measures for workers. The contractors have been warned to take adequate safety measures to avoid injury to or death of workers.
