Kerala to implement protective fencing for open drains: LSGD takes responsibility

Alappuzha: The Department of Local Self-Government (LSGD) has issued a directive that local bodies must provide protective fencing for roadside drains which remain uncovered. The Human Rights Commission had intervened in the matter after reports of fatalities caused by people falling into open drains. The department’s recommendation follows this intervention.

Commission cites Mathrubhumi report in directive

The Commission's involvement was prompted by a report published in Mathrubhumi concerning a death in Thalassery due to a person falling into an uncovered drain. The incident occurred on the Thalassery–Kodiyeri road, where a pedestrian, Vayalambron Ranjith Kumar, died after falling into an open drain. The news report was published in the daily on 25 June 2024.

On seeing the report, the Human Rights Commission initiated a case on its own and later issued a directive to the local bodies, along with the news article, urging them to take necessary precautions to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.

During a review meeting convened by the Minister for Local Self-Government, officials from the Public Works Department (PWD) stated that there is currently a financial constraint in constructing covers for all drains immediately. Consequently, a recommendation was made that each local body should take responsibility for addressing the issue in the roads under their jurisdiction. Further, if there is a delay in constructing proper covers, local bodies have been directed to erect temporary safety measures—such as wire fencing or other suitable arrangements—to prevent accidents.