SIT Inquiry Demanded in Surat Toddler’s Open Manhole Death

Surat : Sanjay Ezhava, a vigilant citizen and civil engineer, has called for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) inquiry into the tragic death of a two-year-old boy named Kedar Vegad, who fell into an open manhole of the storm water drainage in Variav, near Surat, on February 5. Ezhava has called on the authorities to investigate the underlying reasons behind the child’s death, raising significant concerns that the storm water pipeline in the Variav area of the Rander zone under the Surat Municipal Corporation may contain numerous unauthorized drainage connections, potentially contributing to the tragic incident involving the two-year-old boy.

Ezhava has addressed a letter to the Chief Minister, Home Minister, Police Chief, Police Commissioner, and Municipal Commissioner, urging an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of a 2-year-old child, Kedar, who fell into an open manhole without a lid in Variyav, an area governed by the Surat Municipal Corporation.

Ezhava has posed many questions regarding the officials from the Drainage Department and the West Zone (Rander) of Surat Municipal Corporation. Following the tragic death of the child, the Amroli police have filed a FIR and commenced an investigation. Meanwhile, the Surat Municipal Corporation has issued show cause notices to four employees from the Rander Zone, allowing them a period of 2 to 7 days to respond and explain their actions. In this unfortunate incident, it has been determined that the cover of the empty manhole was improperly positioned, leading to the tragic fall of the child into the manhole, resulting in his death

Sanjay Izhava has provided numerous details indicating that the child did not die as a result of falling into the manhole. 

The child accidentally fell into a large diameter pipeline designed for storm water disposal. In February, when there was no rainfall, questions arise regarding the source of water in the pipeline designed for stormwater disposal, specifically for pipes ranging from 900 to 2000 mm in diameter.  Questions arise regarding the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the child’s body at the Variyav pumping station. How did this occur when the storm water pipeline is supposed to discharge into the creek or river? Additionally, is there any evidence to suggest that the storm water pipeline in the Variyav area of Rander zone has been improperly connected with ghost drainage connections or unstable links?

Has the drainage pipeline in the Variyav area of Rander zone been improperly linked to the storm water pipeline in the same area?The child who fell into the manhole of the storm water pipeline has been transported to the Variyav pumping station after being diverted from the sewage pipeline, rather than arriving at Kedar creek or river.  As the water level in the tank of the Variyav pumping station dropped below that of the storm water pipeline, the storm water began to flow into the pumping station due to the diversion from the drainage pipeline.

“The child did not die due to a fall into the manhole of the Kedar storm water pipeline; it is quite plausible that he succumbed to drowning in the sewage water that was unlawfully entering the storm water pipeline, as well as from the gases emitted by the wastewater from the cattle sheds,” stated Ezhava. “An investigation should be conducted into the circumstances and the period during which the ghost drainage (sewage) connection in the manhole of the storm water (rain water) pipeline was established.”

Sanjay Ezawa emphasizes the importance of seeking expert insights on the issues he has raised concerning this incident to identify the true perpetrators behind the tragic death of the innocent child.