A daily wage labourer lost his life after falling into an uncovered manhole in Delhi&rsquo;s Rohini area, marking the second such fatal incident in the city within days and intensifying concerns over civic safety.
The deceased, Birju Kumar, 25, hailed from Bihar&rsquo;s Samastipur district and had been staying near the site of the accident in Sector 32. The drain is reportedly maintained by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). The incident comes shortly after public anger over a similar death in Janakpuri prompted the Delhi government to announce an eight-point safety plan to prevent such tragedies.
According to an eyewitness, the labourer may have remained in the pit for hours before coordinated action began. The witness alerted emergency services, after which multiple departments reached the spot, and the body was eventually recovered in the evening. He also alleged that officials began covering nearby open drains soon after authorities were contacted.
Police stated they were informed about the incident on Tuesday afternoon and dispatched teams along with the Delhi Fire Services. After several hours of rescue efforts, Kumar was pulled out of the roughly 14-foot-deep sewer but was declared dead by doctors.
Investigators said Kumar was with a friend at the time. The friend reportedly told police that both had been drinking the previous day and that he realised Kumar had fallen into the drain only after regaining consciousness the next afternoon.
Initial findings suggest the manhole may have been open, though authorities are continuing to verify the circumstances. A case has been registered under sections related to causing death by negligence, and statements from witnesses are being recorded as part of the ongoing probe.

Second fatal fall in days raises safety concerns over uncovered drains in capital areas

Labourer Dies After Fall Into Manhole in Delhi

Second fatal fall in days raises safety concerns over uncovered drains in capital areas

February 11, 2026 | 09:51 IST