Mumbai: Manholes to raise a stink during thefts

BMC workers install a grill to prevent mishaps if a lid is stolen (right) One of the buzzers that the BMC is installing on a pilot basis at 14 spots. Pics/Shirish Vaktania

In response to the increasing number of thefts of manhole covers in the city, the civic body has initiated a pilot project where 14 major sewer holes in flood-prone areas will be fitted with buzzers that have sensors. The devices will raise a siren-like alarm and alert the solid waste management (SWM) control room if someone attempts to tamper with a lid.

According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials, each buzzer system is estimated to cost between Rs 55,000 to Rs 60,000. The installation of these 14 systems costs more than Rs 11 lakh in total. Following the trial period where the effectiveness of the system will be tested, officials will extend coverage to major flood-prone areas. The buzzer system will be connected to the ward office to ensure monitoring and response are effective.

Safety measure

The BMC is attempting to safeguard the lives of pedestrians by installing safety grills under every manhole cover. The grills, which are being secured by chains, will also serve as a deterrent against theft and unauthorised access. So far, 1,900 grills have been fixed in SWM manholes and 4,500 in stormwater drain (SWD) manholes.

A grill secured by a chain, which helps prevent accidents if manhole covers are stolen

How the system works

The buzzer will be installed within the sewerage pipeline beneath the grill. In the event of a manhole being tampered with or removed, the sensor will trigger the buzzer to emit a loud and attention-grabbing siren, similar to that of an ambulance. This serves as a powerful deterrent to potential thieves.

The buzzer will also send alerts to the control room at the BMC office. Upon receiving these alerts, BMC officials will swiftly dispatch their team to the location, equipped with a replacement manhole cover. Simultaneously, officials will promptly inform the police to ensure immediate action is taken.

Due to its positioning underneath the safety grill and its secure installation, stealing the buzzer system will prove to be a challenging task. Its fixed and concealed placement provides an added layer of protection against theft. "This system will give the location of the manholes whose covers are missing. If any lid is stolen, it will be replaced with a new one immediately," said an official.

‘Citizens must also be vigilant'

A senior BMC official told mid-day, "The system seems to be working well and we are expecting to cover all 14 major manholes very soon. It is going to cost crores of rupees to ensure that the property doesn't get stolen. One manhole cover already costs us Rs 8,000 to Rs 9,000."

The buzzer system

Officials have also said that it is the responsibility of citizens to be vigilant and prevent the theft of manhole lids. "We are now alerting shopkeepers, footpath hawkers, activists, local corporators and social workers to keep an eye on manholes in their area and prevent theft," the official added.

An official from the SWM department said, "The BMC spends lakhs of rupees every year replacing stolen manhole covers. In every area, we are informing local corporators, activists, social workers, citizens and shopkeepers to keep a watch on manholes. If any thief is found lifting these manholes, alert the police and ward officer concerned. The local people should be vigilant to save Mumbai."

"The BMC's property is bought with taxes and taxpayers' money should not be wasted due to thefts. We are visiting each shop and informing them to keep watch on the manholes. We work daily, opening 1,000 manholes across the city for maintenance work. We always accompany vehicles that clean manholes," the officer said.

A BMC official said that if anyone finds an individual or a gang lifting a manhole cover, inform the local police station and the local ward office. "We have a total of 74,682 SWM manholes and around 25,000 SWD manholes. Our team works 24x7 to inspect manholes. If any cover is stolen, our team will reach the spot immediately and replace it. We also barricade the spot if any lids are stolen. Our main aim is to save citizens' lives, and after this, we register an FIR," explained the official.

New cover designs

Manhole covers used to be made of cast iron but anti-social elements would steal them and sell them to scrap dealers. Now, all manholes are made of a combination of cement, iron and other metals. The manholes on footpaths and at the corners of streets are used to drain rainwater and are connected to the sea and dams.

A civic official said, "We are planning to use FRP (fibre-reinforced plastic) and stainless steel manhole covers. We are finalising the designs and will start installing them soon across the city." According to an official, 80 per cent of manholes are circular while the rest are rectangular.

Areas identified for pilot project

>> BDD Chawl, Worli, G South ward
>> Jerbai Wadia Road, Parel, F South ward
>> Sewri Cross Road, Sewri, F South ward
>> DG Mahajani Marg, Sewri, F South ward
>> Trimbak Parshuram Lane, Grant Road, E ward
>> MS Ali Road, Grant Road, C ward
>> Bhanjibhai Rathod Road, Tulsiwadi, D ward
>> Balusheth Madurkar Marg, G South ward
>> Bapurao Parulekar Marg, Dadar, G North ward

1,900
No of grills fixed in SWM manholes