Mumbai Mayor Demands Inquiry After Civic Worker Falls Into Gandhi Market Open Chamber
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde has demanded a formal inquiry after a civic supervisor fell into an open chamber during a mayoral flood inspection at Gandhi Market in the F/North ward on Wednesday. The incident, which was captured on camera and went viral, has prompted allegations from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that the mishap was intentionally staged to tarnish the Mayor's image.
On Thursday, Mayor Tawde wrote an email to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, seeking an inquiry against both the supervisor and the assistant engineer of the F/North ward.
The incident occurred amidst a torrential downpour battering Mumbai on Wednesday. Mayor Tawde had launched an inspection drive across flooded locations, visiting Hindmata before arriving at Gandhi Market. While she was inspecting the area, a supervisor, also referred to as a mukkadam, who was overlooking the local cleanliness drive, fell into the open chamber.
According to BMC officials, the chamber had been properly barricaded to protect the public. A civic official stated that the supervisor was well aware of the chamber's location because he was personally responsible for cleaning it. However, the official noted that the supervisor moved the barricades to take a shortcut, which resulted in his fall.
Ganesh Khankar, leader of the house and senior BJP corporator, expressed suspicion over the incident. Khankar stated that the supervisor's decision to avoid the detour and walk directly toward the chamber appeared intentional. He confirmed that an inquiry would be launched to understand the worker's intentions and why he removed the safety barricades.
The supervisor was rescued shortly after the fall and sustained no injuries. Speaking to the media, he refuted the allegations of political sabotage, stating that his leg simply slipped while the chamber was open to let out waste. He added that he has worked in the area for three years and has no association with any political party.
Civic sources confirmed that the inquiry will focus on why the staffer entered the closed area and how the barricades were removed. Further action will be initiated based on the results of the investigation.
