Unit-VII near Maa

Mangala Basti

• Location

In the midst of a number of government quarters and slum settlements, this is one of the city's busy areas

• The work

PWD's road and building division is constructing drains. It has dug up huge pits and in the absence of proper barricading an old man fell into the drain and lost his life on Monday evening

• Citizenspeak

The 5ft-deep pit was filled with rainwater. The man lost balance while trying to cross the drain. If the drains are left open, a repeat cannot be ruled out

Raju Jena, resident

Shastri Nagar on the Bidyut Marg

• Location

This densely populated residential area is home to middle class families and slum dwellers as well. This area has a private school and witnesses heavy footfall of children.

• The work

In March, both the sides of the road were dug dip to lay underground cables. The work is almost over near Shastri Nagar, but the authorities are yet to cover the pits. This has put commuters at risk

• Citizenspeak

Only recently my 10-year-old son fell into a pit while playing. Fortunately, he had sustained minor injuries. We filled the pit on our own, but a portion of it still lies open

Shanti Lata, homemaker

Unit-VI, Ganga Nagar

• Location

Capital Hospital makes this a busy area. Not only pedestrians, movement of vehicles is also rampant here

• The work

The works department has dug up sides of the lanes to construct parallel drains. A bamboo fencing was put up, but rain has damaged it

• Citizenspeaks

The huge pits have made the lanes narrow. Traffic jam is common here. The danger of vehicles falling into the drains cannot be ruled out

Umakanta Das, tea seller

Kharavela Nagar on Janpath

• The location

This area houses a number of commercial establishments. Vehicular movement is rampant here.

• The work

Huge pits have been dug up to lay underground electric cables. Work is going in snail's pace and temporary barricades are also falling in the rains.

• Citizenspeaks

Commuting on Janpath is a hazard. Digging up roads during monsoon is not the ideal thing to do. Slow pace of work is adding to our woes. I fear a mishap any day

Bijay Mishra, commuter

What the mayor says

We have requested the electricity provider and the works department to take safety measures since it creates huge problems for the people. The people are coming to us with the complaints. We will request higher authorities to act or we will take up the job of putting up barriers at such sites

Ananta Narayan Jena

Pictures by Ashwinee Pati