A firm that was working on a multi-crore sewerage project has abruptly abandoned the work, leaving open manhole pits across areas of Adityapur in neighbouring Seraikela-Kharswan district, exposing local residents to unforeseen dangers while navigating roads during the monsoon.

Manhole pits, as deep as five feet, are lying uncovered for over a month, inconveniencing commuters, especially women and children of densely-populated Adityapur colony. More importantly, there is always the danger of people falling into manholes when the roads are flooded because of rains.

In Ranchi, a 4-year-old girl died on July 24 after she fell into an open drain, barely 100 metres from her home in Hindpiri, with residents blaming the municipal authorities for its callousness. Falak’s death was also raised in the state Assembly.

A resident of LIG Colony in Adityapur on Road No 4 spoke of their plight.

“Two days ago, a car got stuck in an open pit as barricades erected around it had fallen inside the pit. A week ago, an old man slipped into the pit during daytime. Three days ago, a cow fell into the pit,” Uttam Roy told The Telegraph.

Sudhir Chaudhury, another local resident, said the contractor left the work as they objected to sub-standard work.

“As per norms, a manhole has to be constructed and the pit covered within a week’s time. But pits have been lying uncovered for a month now. Residents are living in fear. Parents have told children not to come out on the road fearing a mishap,” Chaudhury said.

Last year, Jharkhand Urban Infrastructure Development Company (Juidco) signed a contract with Shapoorji Pallonji to work on the Rs 235-crore sewerage project of Adityapur Municipal Corporation (AMC). Four sewage treatment plants (STPs) are being built and sewage pipelines, as well as manholes and sewage chambers, are being set up.

Residents objected to the contractor digging up roads in front of their houses. AMC corporators and even mayor Vinod Srivastava backed the residents.

“AMC forced the contractor to mend the damaged roads before going ahead with the work to lay pipes and dig pits for manholes. The contractor left the work midway and started working at another place where there was no protest,” said an AMC official who coordinates with the contractor.

The Adityapur sewerage project, work on which began in May last year, is to be completed in 30 months. But it is unlikely that the project will be completed within the deadline.

Mayor Srivastava agreed the contractor should not have left manhole pits uncovered. “We will contact the contractor and ensure the pits are covered immediately,” he said.