Mind your step in Mumbai: Almost 2 manhole covers stolen in a day

MUMBAI: As monsoon approaches with the promise of welcome rain but also flooding, BMC has found that 332 manhole covers, almost all made of cast iron, were stolen between January and May.

The five-month figure shows almost 55 manhole covers were stolen on average every month. It is slightly lower than the 70 per month in 2022, but a chilling figure ahead of the rains. Ward D (Malabar Hill, Tardeo) was the worst-hit in 2022, losing 108.

Officials said each metal cover weighs 60-70kg and sells for Rs 1,000-1,500 in scrap market. About the efforts to stop the theft menace, an official said the city has over a lakh manholes and fibre covers are being brought in.
836 manhole covers stolen last yr, 82.5% jump from '20
A total of 458 manhole covers were stolen across the city in 2020, the first year of the pandemic. The number kept rising and touched 836 last year, indicating an 82.5% rise in two years (see box).
The average of stolen manhole covers in the first five months of this year shows the total could overtake that of 2021, if not 2022.
Manholes without covers have cost lives, especially during flooding. The danger was highlighted in August 2017, when renowned gastroenterologist Dr Deepak Amrapurkar died after falling into an open manhole after heavy showers near Elphinstone Road.
In 2022, the wards from where the most manhole covers were stolen include D ward (Tardeo, Malabar Hill), K West (Andheri) and K East (Jogeshwari, Vile Parle). Officials said it is not surprising that well-to-do neighbourhoods are more affected. "Most of those living in highrise apartments or in gated communities pay little attention to these covers being taken away, making them easy targets," said an official.
The official added: "These manhole covers are made of cast iron and hence command a good price when sold in the scrap market. The ward immediately informs the local police station whenever there has been a theft. Efforts are made to ensure a manhole cover is replaced at the earliest. But at times we face problems as we may not have the exact same manhole cover available with us."
The BMC has now issued a work order for a pilot project to deter theft of manhole covers. Alarms will be installed on 14 manhole covers across the city and they will go off alerting the sewerage operation control room whenever they are forcibly removed.