Toddler dies after falling into an open drain

HUBBALLI: Tragedy struck the Bepari family in Katagar Oni, Old Hubballi, after one-and-a-half-year old Ahmadraja Bepari died after falling into an open drain near his house on Wednesday night.
The boy was playing in front of the house and accidentally fell into the drain. When he wasn't seen in the house for a while, the family started searching for him.After searching for over two hours, some people saw bubbles in the drain water and then found his body. It's a narrow drain and about 3ft deep. As it hadn't been cleaned for some time, the drain was choked and water had stagnated.
Angry neighbours said if the HDMC had cleaned the gutters and open drains regularly, the child would not have died. The boy is the second son of Mohammed, a daily wage worker here. Sikandar Bepari, the boy' uncle, Akbar Bepari, another relative, said, "We've been repeatedly requesting HDMC to remove the silt from the drain but the authorities haven't done anything about it."
There are many blocked drains in the area and when it rains, water gushes into houses. "We've lost our child but it shouldn't happen to any other family. The authorities should clean all open drains and place stone slabs to close them," they said.
When contacted, mayor Shivu Hiremath said, "It's a really unfortunate incident. We visited the boy's house and consoled the grief-stricken family. I've asked the HDMC commissioner and health officer to take action against the cleaning contractor of the area and also serve a notice to the health inspector."
He added, "I've also decided to inspect some areas to know the condition of open drains. Officials will conduct a survey of open drains and submit a report at the earliest."
HDMC commissioner CM Noor Mansoor said, "I've instructed the engineering section of the corporation to check the areas in which open drains are not cleaned. Instructions have been given to all officers to ensure that no drain should be blocked. In Katagar Oni, all drains will be cleaned on priority."