Hyderabad, October 31 (Prathipaksham TV):
Even without rain, Hyderabad’s roads remain battered as if it were monsoon season. Potholes and open manhole s on almost every street are turning into potential hazards. An incident that took place this afternoon on the main road at Panjagutta has once again exposed the pathetic condition of the city’s roads.
Near Panjagutta Metro Pillar No. 1116, a goods vehicle suddenly came to a halt while moving on the road. On closer inspection, it was found that the rear wheel of the vehicle had completely sunk into an open manhole. The manhole cover had weakened and collapsed under the vehicle’s weight, trapping the wheel inside. As a result, the vehicle became immobile in the middle of the road.
Traffic congestion built up quickly, raising fears of a possible accident. The driver was unable to move the vehicle on his own. Observing the situation, several passersby, motorists, and two-wheeler riders rushed forward to help.
More than ten individuals joined hands to push the vehicle and free its wheel from the manhole. After a few minutes of effort, they managed to pull the vehicle out safely. Onlookers praised the spontaneous act, calling it “a true display of humanity.”
However, the incident also highlighted a much deeper issue — the appalling state of Hyderabad’s roads.
Residents are questioning how dangerous conditions like these exist even in prime areas such as Panjagutta, wondering what the condition must be in smaller localities.
“This is nothing new. The manhole cover on this road frequently collapses. Even when GHMC officials come, they only make temporary fixes. Vehicles keep getting stuck here,” said a nearby shopkeeper in frustration.
A commuter who witnessed the incident said:
“Weak drainage covers pose a serious risk. Someone could lose their life one day. GHMC must take immediate action,” he warned.
At the same time, Panjagutta traffic police helped move the vehicle to the roadside and restored the traffic flow. Yet again, the episode laid bare GHMC’s negligence.
The photograph clearly shows the vehicle’s wheel completely trapped inside the broken manhole cover while several people struggled to push it out. This is not a minor issue — it is a matter of public safety.
In recent months, several such manhole-related incidents have occurred across Hyderabad — in Old City, Malakpet, Secunderabad, Miyapur, and now Panjagutta. Despite repeated occurrences, municipal authorities only replace the covers temporarily without addressing the root cause.
Civil rights activists have urged authorities to take disciplinary action against negligent officials.
“Officials should not wake up only after such accidents occur. Every manhole and drainage cover must be technically inspected and reinforced. Otherwise, a major tragedy is waiting to happen,” said a representative of a civic organization.
Meanwhile, citizens have taken to social media, expressing anger toward GHMC.
“If this can happen in a prime area like Panjagutta, imagine the state of roads in the slums!”
“The municipality collects taxes but fails to ensure even basic safety standards,”
read some of the comments.
The photograph of this incident has now gone viral on social media, with citizens voicing a united demand —
“Fix the roads, stop manhole accidents!”
https://onlinepayments.ghmc.gov.in/
By Veeramusti Sathish
M.A. (Journalism & Mass Communication), M.A. (Political Science)
Independent Digital Journalist & RTI Activist | Founder – Prathipaksham TV
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