Twenty-Five Years On: The Ameerpet Manhole, A Haunting Legacy of Negligence

Twenty-five years ago, a tragic incident shook Ameerpet, Hyderabad, when a young B.Tech student named M. Karunakar lost his life after falling into an open manhole. Today, a quarter of a century later, the very same stretch of road continues to harbor a treacherous open manhole, a stark and chilling reminder of bureaucratic apathy and a blatant disregard for public safety.

This enduring danger is a testament to the fact that while time moves forward, some critical issues remain stubbornly unresolved, threatening lives with each passing day.

The incident occurred on March 19, 1999, near the current Ameerpet Metro Station, directly opposite the college where Karunakar was a student.

The gaping maw of the manhole claimed his life, plunging his family and the community into an abyss of grief. It was an avoidable tragedy, one that sparked outrage and demands for immediate action to secure public infrastructure. Yet, the ghost of that incident seems to linger, with similar, if not the very same, hazards persisting in the area.

Local residents and daily commuters express a mix of frustration and fear.

The manhole in question, located in a high-traffic area, is a significant risk, especially during heavy rains when water levels rise and obscure its presence, or during nighttime when visibility is poor. It’s a death trap lying in plain sight, a constant threat to pedestrians, two-wheeler riders, and even small vehicles.

Despite the passage of decades and the advancement of urban development, including the iconic Metro line, this fundamental safety lapse remains unaddressed.

The responsibility for maintaining such crucial infrastructure primarily lies with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB).

Their mandate is clear: ensure the safety and functionality of the city's civic amenities. The persistence of an open manhole, particularly one with such a dark history, points to a severe systemic failure in oversight, maintenance, and responsiveness. Public outcry has been consistent, yet tangible, permanent solutions have been conspicuously absent.

This isn't merely about a missing manhole cover; it's about the sanctity of human life and the accountability of public bodies.

The continued existence of this hazard is a betrayal of the trust placed in city authorities and a painful echo of a past tragedy that should have served as a powerful lesson. It demands immediate and decisive action, not just temporary fixes, but a comprehensive review and securing of all vulnerable points in the city's infrastructure to prevent another avoidable loss.

The memory of M. Karunakar and the persistent danger in Ameerpet serve as a poignant, urgent call for change.