Islamabad administration launches drive to cover open manholes

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Capital Territory administration began a citywide drive to locate and seal open manholes after a special survey was ordered for the identification of unsafe spots in several areas.

Officials said the campaign was initiated with a special survey that was directed by the Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad. Survey teams were deployed to various neighbourhoods to identify locations where the manhole covers were missing. They marked dozens of such points and shared the details with concerned departments for immediate action.

After conducting the survey, new covers are being installed, and other related works have started. The administration has asked the field staff to complete the process as quickly as possible to avoid the incidents that may occur due to open manholes, mainly in places that are crowded with people.

DC Islamabad said that in every case of a missing manhole cover, responsibility will be fixed. The concerned officer of the area will be asked about the lapse and will also ensure its timely replacement. Officials said this accountability step is meant to avert recurring negligence in the maintenance of public infrastructure.

The district administration also urged the public to cooperate on the issue, reporting any manholes they come across without covers in their neighbourhoods. Citizens can share such information through official communication channels so that teams can reach the location in the minimum time.

The authorities feel that public participation will accelerate the campaign, since residents first notice the problems in most cases, much before the field teams. According to the administration, keeping manholes covered is necessary for public safety and smooth pedestrian movement.

The drive will continue until all the identified points are secured, and regular monitoring will follow thereafter so that no manhole remains open in the future. Additional checks may be introduced in the future to strengthen the oversight mechanism in all sectors of the city, officials added.