Guwahati: In the wake of an incident that claimed the life of a four-year-old boy, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has directed a comprehensive satellite survey of all open manholes and uncovered drains across Guwahati.
The move comes after the child identified as Sunit Kumar fell into an under-construction drain near his residence in the city’s Arya Nagar locality on Wednesday evening.
According to officials, the child slipped into the exposed drain, which was left open as part of ongoing construction work.
His body was later recovered and sent to the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) for post-mortem examination.
The incident has sparked outrage among residents, who have long voiced concerns about the dangers posed by unprotected drainage systems in the rapidly expanding city.
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Speaking to reporters during a programme in Dhekiajuli on Thursday, Sarma expressed grief over the incident and stressed that immediate corrective steps would be taken.
“I have instructed the Chief Secretary to conduct a satellite survey to identify all open drains and manholes in Guwahati. Once mapped, necessary action will be taken to cover and secure them at the earliest,” the chief minister said.
Sarma further noted that while contractors had previously been directed to place cement slabs over open drains and manholes, the covers are frequently stolen.
The chief minister assured that the government will put in place a system to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
