Mumbai: A man, identified as Siddesh Narvekar, endured a harrowing ordeal lasting over four hours after his leg became trapped in an uncovered drainage outlet in Mumbai. The incident occurred at approximately 12:30 AM on Saturday, October 5, 2025, near the Jogeshwari metro station, close to the Western Express Highway.
Narvekar's misfortune began when he accidentally stepped into an unmarked drainage opening. The lack of warning or covering on the drain led to his leg becoming firmly lodged, preventing him from freeing himself.
The Mumbai Fire Brigade received an emergency call and promptly dispatched a team to the location. Firefighters faced a challenging situation as they worked to extricate Narvekar from the drain. The rescue operation required careful and precise movements to avoid causing further injury to the trapped man.
After more than four hours of dedicated effort, the fire brigade successfully freed Narvekar's leg. He was immediately attended to by paramedics at the scene, who assessed his condition before transporting him to a nearby hospital for a thorough medical evaluation.
The incident has raised concerns regarding the safety and maintenance of public infrastructure in Mumbai. Uncovered or poorly marked drainage outlets pose a significant risk to pedestrians, especially during nighttime hours or periods of heavy rainfall. Local authorities are now facing scrutiny to ensure that all drainage systems are properly covered and regularly inspected to prevent similar accidents in the future.
This is not the first time such an incident has occurred. In 2007, a man died after being trapped in a flooded drain in the UK. Rescue efforts lasted for hours but were unsuccessful, highlighting the dangers associated with being trapped in drainage systems. Similarly, there have been other instances where individuals have been injured or have died after becoming trapped in drains.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of public safety and infrastructure maintenance. It is crucial for authorities to take proactive measures to identify and address potential hazards in public spaces to prevent accidents and ensure the well-being of citizens. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced that it will conduct a city-wide survey of all drainage systems to identify and rectify any safety concerns. Furthermore, the BMC plans to launch a public awareness campaign to educate citizens about the risks associated with uncovered drains and the importance of reporting any such hazards to the authorities.
