Vadodara Man Dies After Falling Into Open Manhole While Parking Car
A tragic incident in Gujarat’s Vadodara city has once again raised serious concerns over civic negligence and public safety. A man lost his life after falling into an open manhole while stepping out to park his car during a family dinner outing.
Man In His Early 40s
The victim, identified as Vipulsinh Zala, was in his early 40s. The incident took place on Friday evening near the Manjalpur Sports Complex. According to officials, Zala slipped into a 15 to 30-foot-deep manhole that had reportedly been left uncovered during cleaning work.
Zala had gone out around 7 pm to park his car and asked his family to wait nearby. When he did not return for more than 20 minutes, his family grew worried and began searching for him. Calls to his mobile phone went unanswered, increasing their concern.
Family Spots Open Pit During Search
During the search, relatives noticed an uncovered manhole close to the parking area. When they looked inside, they saw Zala’s boots floating on the water surface. The family immediately alerted the authorities.
Fire department teams rushed to the spot and pulled Zala out of the manhole after a rescue operation. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Zala’s father is a retired deputy superintendent of police, adding to the family’s shock and grief.
Civic Body Orders Probe, Action Likely
Vadodara Municipal Commissioner Arun Mahesh Babu confirmed the incident and said the civic body has taken the matter seriously. Senior officials stated that strict action will follow if negligence by the contract agency or municipal staff comes to light. The Water Supplies Department has been asked to submit a detailed report on why the manhole remained open.
Police Register Accidental Death Case
Assistant Commissioner of Police Pranav Kataria said police have registered a case of accidental death for now. He added that a detailed investigation has begun. Officials will review the post-mortem report and record statements from the victim’s family and civic authorities. Police said they will file an FIR if evidence of negligence emerges.
The incident has sparked anger among local residents, who blame poor safety practices and lack of warning signs. The death highlights the recurring danger posed by open manholes in urban areas and the urgent need for accountability to prevent such avoidable tragedies.
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