Delhi has reported another tragedy involving an open manhole, just days after a biker died after falling into an open pit. A 32-year-old laborer, Birju Kumar Rai, lost his life after falling into an uncovered manhole in the Begumpur area of Rohini. This incident has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about public safety and civic negligence in the capital.
The incident occurred on Monday evening in Sector 32, Rohini, on vacant land owned by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). According to police reports, a PCR call was received on Tuesday afternoon regarding a missing person suspected to have fallen into a sewer. The caller, Amir Hussain, stated that his friend, Birju Kumar Rai, had been missing since the previous evening.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Birju was last seen with another laborer, Budhan Das, and that the two had consumed alcohol on Monday night. While returning to their nearby residence around 7:30 pm, Birju reportedly lost his balance and fell into an open manhole. Budhan Das, allegedly inebriated at the time, did not inform anyone about the incident until Tuesday afternoon, after he had regained his senses.
Following the alert, police, along with the fire brigade and DDA, launched a rescue operation. The body of Birju Kumar Rai was eventually recovered from the manhole. The body has been sent to a hospital for a post-mortem examination.
This is the second such incident in Delhi within a week. On Friday, February 7, 2026, a 25-year-old private bank employee, Kamal Dhyani, died after his motorcycle fell into a 15-foot-deep pit dug by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) in Janakpuri. The police have registered a case of culpable homicide against the contractor involved and the DJB officials. Investigations revealed a lack of safety measures at the excavation site, including missing barricading and warning signs. The Delhi government has ordered a probe into the Janakpuri incident and suspended three DJB officials. They also announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh for the victim's family.
The recurring nature of these incidents has ignited public anger and drawn attention to the dangers posed by uncovered manholes and poorly maintained construction sites in Delhi. Concerns are mounting over the apparent lack of accountability and the failure of civic authorities to ensure basic safety measures for citizens.
The police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding Birju Kumar Rai's death. Further details are awaited as the investigation unfolds. This latest tragedy underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive review of safety protocols and stricter enforcement of regulations to prevent further loss of life due to civic negligence in Delhi.