KMC probe report blames under-construction BRT Red Line for child's death in manhole

An inquiry conducted by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has blamed the under-construction Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Red Line for the death of a three-year-old boy, who fell into an open manhole in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. 

The incident occurred near a departmental store at Nipa Chowrangi. Following the tragedy, the KMC conducted its inquiry and submitted a report to the Secretary of the Local Government Department.

According to the report authored by Senior Director Municipal Services Imran Rajput, a rescue operation was launched on the instructions of the Mayor of Karachi. The child’s body was eventually recovered from a link drain in Gulshan Town. The examination confirmed that the accident was directly linked to BRT excavation work.

The findings said that BRT digging has damaged the drainage infrastructure in the area as temporary two-foot covers had been used in an attempt to cover manholes.

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The report noted that a main manhole was left open by workers associated with the Red Line project, which directly led to the incident. It emphasised that such practices and poor-quality covers had never been used by KMC, and that BRT contractors commenced work without notifying KMC.

The tragedy, the report states, resulted from combined negligence of the private departmental store’s management and the BRT project team.

KMC added that all excavated sections in the area have now been filled and secured under official supervision.