Mumbai rains: Man dies after falling into manhole; four BMC officials suspended

Just a few days after a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) employee fell into a drain, another man died after falling into another drain in the city on Thursday, July 2, 2026. Maintenance work was ongoing on Khairani Road near Sanman Hotel in Mumbai’s Chandivali district, where the incident took place.

The man, identified as 55-year-old Aslam Esaf Shaikh, was taken to Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar, where doctors declared him dead. BMC Ritu Tawde announced financial assistance of ₹10 lakh to the family of the deceased on behalf of the company.

According to the BMC official, fire crews rescued the person by ventilating the sewer line using an exhaust fan and using a rescue vehicle, tripod and rope ladder.

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Four officers were suspended

Following the latest manhole-related incident, BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide suspended four officers until the investigation report is submitted. Deputy Commissioner of ‘L’ ward Dhanaji Harlekar, Assistant/Secondary Engineer (Maintenance, L Section) Deepak Chougule, Assistant Engineer (Maintenance, L Ward) Abhijit Chougule and Assistant Engineer (Sewerage Operations) Uttam Patil were suspended from duty on Thursday, July 2, 2026.

Ms. Bhide also ordered that the contractor concerned be blacklisted for “business negligence regarding safety norms”. “No precautions were taken while the safety net installation process was going on. People standing near the manhole tried to stop him by shouting, but at that time the deceased lost his balance and fell into the ‘manhole’,” said Ms Bhide.

Committee created

A high-level inquiry has been constituted under the chairmanship of Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) to conduct investigation into the incident and recommend measures to prevent such incidents. The committee includes Deputy Commissioner (General Administration), Deputy Commissioner (Region 7), Deputy Commissioner (Infrastructure). The investigation committee was ordered to submit a report within seven days.

The BMC has instructed all ward officers to set up barricades on all four sides while carrying out work on the manhole. The order stated that 100% inspection of manholes in BMC area should be carried out in the next eight days.

Lives at risk during Mumbai rains

Over 200 mm of rain fell in various parts of Mumbai in the last 24 hours, causing severe waterlogging and traffic disruptions. When monsoon rains hit Mumbai from the last week of June, the losses in Mumbai became evident, with Shaikh’s death becoming the third incident.

On Tuesday, an 11-year-old student died when a tree fell on a school bus in Chembur, while a 51-year-old man died when a part of the third-floor balcony collapsed in Walkeshwar area. A week ago, a BMC worker who was accompanying BMC Mayor Ritu Tawde fell into a drain while inspecting waterlogged areas in Gandhi Market.

Installation of manhole nets is part of the annual pre-monsoon preparations in Mumbai. However, puddles or flooded roads often make them invisible, putting the lives of pedestrians or drivers at risk.