SVNIT forms panel to probe drainage line deaths

Surat: The Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT) has constituted a committee to conduct an inquiry into the death of two, including a 15-year-old, while cleaning a drainage line on the campus on Tuesday.
Based on the committee’s report, the institute will fix responsibility of the officers involved in the process, said SVNIT director Anupam Shukla. “The committee will investigate if there was any negligence on part of the institute’s officials,” Shukla told TOI.
Senior SVNIT officials claimed that the contractor did not keep the institute informed about employing the minor for the cleaning work. “The contractor was awarded work to lay a drainage line but not to clean the existing one,” said an officer.
SVNIT officials could not clarify if the institute’s supervising officer for the project execution was present at the spot. It is the responsibility of the institute’s concerned department to supervise that the work is done as per the contract and all safety standards are being followed.
Fire department revealed that the contractor did not use any safety equipment and that he had employed a minor for the job. Police have booked the contractor Shravan Hanauli (45) for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and other sections.
Kadir Ishakmiya Siddki (45), a plumber and Satyam Harendra Shah, (15) died while Hanauli (45) is currently under treatment at a hospital.