Mumbai: Days after a BMC worker fell into an open stormwater channel during mayor Ritu Tawde’s inspection of a chronic flooding spot at King’s Circle, a civic inquiry termed it an accident and called for better crowd management during VIP visits.Eyewitnesses told BMC officials that the worker was rushing towards media cameras when he fell into the channel.The inquiry report, prepared by the local ward office and the stormwater drains department, was submitted to the BMC chief’s office on Monday. It recommended that areas where civic staff carry out desilting or drainage operations be clearly demarcated and kept separate from spaces accessible to visitors and the public, “particularly during inspections by public representatives such as the mayor”, said a senior BMC official.The recommendations include mandatory barricading of open channels and work sites, and installation of warning signboards and standees. Officials also proposed a separate safety protocol for inspections at active drainage works.A day after the worker’s fall on June 24, Tawde had called it “fishy” and had sought a detailed inquiry from the BMC administration.
