Kalyan (Maharashtra): A 55-year-old man died after falling into an open manhole allegedly left unattended by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) along the busy Kalyan-Shil Road near Tata Power on Sunday evening. The incident has triggered widespread anger among local residents, who have accused MIDC of gross negligence.
Chavan Succumbed To His Injuries At Private Hospital
The deceased, identified as Babu Dharma Chavan, was walking through the Gandhi Nagar area of Kalyan East when he reportedly slipped into an uncovered chamber. Passersby rushed to help and managed to pull him out, but he had already sustained a severe head injury. Chavan was immediately taken to a private hospital in Dombivali by local residents, where he died during treatment later that night.
Residents allege that the manhole had been left open for several weeks despite repeated complaints to MIDC authorities. “We have been warning them about this for weeks. Nobody acted. Now we have lost our father, and tomorrow it could be someone else’s family,” said his sons, Kashinath and Pravin Chavan, both BJP office-bearers in Kalyan, as quoted by the Indian Express.
Protests held By Resident Outside Hospital
The incident sparked protests outside the hospital and at the site of the accident, with several residents demanding accountability. Some protesters even refused to accept the body until action was taken against those responsible.
Former Deputy Mayor of Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Corporation (KDMC) and BJP leader Moreshwar Bhoir also lashed out at MIDC, blaming the corporation’s inaction for Chavan’s death. “This is not just an accident; it’s a result of official apathy. MIDC has endangered the lives of citizens across all 27 villages under its jurisdiction. We demand a case of culpable homicide be registered against the responsible officials,” Bhoir said.
Police have confirmed the incident and said that an accidental death report (ADR) has been filed. However, no First Information Report (FIR) had been lodged as of Monday morning.
