Open sewer
Fire brigade personnel reached the spot between 4pm and 4.30pm and began searching the drain and nearby lines. Sources said the drain was around 20 feet deep but had accumulated five to seven feet of garbage and silt, making the search difficult. The incident occurred near Eric Packaging Company, within the Lambha ward and Narol police station limits. The family raised an alarm and informed the police and fire brigade. The drain is connected to several other lines, which fire brigade personnel have also inspected. Sources added: “National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is currently constructing an elevated corridor on the Sarkhej-Narol Highway. During this work, drain covers have been broken or altered by NHAI without informing Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation or placing proper barricades. Demand is now growing for police complaints to be registered against responsible AMC and NHAI officials once the girl is found. ”
Ahmedabad: A family’s search for their nine-year-old blind daughter has entered the sixth day after she allegedly fell into a 20-foot-deep open drain on Pirana-iplaj Road. The girl’s parents have returned to the spot every day as fire brigade teams have inspected connected drainage lines, but the heavy accumulation of garbage and silt has slowed the operation. The family got off the autorickshaw around 3pm. Her mother, Paru Salat, was holding Manisha’s hand while the girl’s father was with the other two children. When the mother let go of Manisha’s hand to pay the autorickshaw driver, the child allegedly stepped backwards and fell into the open drain.
The girl, Manisha Salat, was travelling with her parents and two siblings on Saturday afternoon, according to local sources.