The routine morning walk ended in a tragedy for printing press owner Gogulapati Sivarama Linga Vara Prasad when fell into a drain under construction on Tuesday. “Negligence of construction workers caused damage to the drinking water pipeline close to the drain. As a result, water gushed out and entered the shops. Prasad, worried over the fate of the machinery in his press, had gone to the shop and fell into the drain as water entered into it,” said Brahmam , a watchman at the complex.
“Municipal officials and the contractor executing the works, who are supposed to ensure safety, have shirked their responsibility. Workers drained out water hurriedly in the morning. But, none of the officers is seen at the spot,” said Bujjaiah, a shop owner.
“Had the workers drained out water on Monday, the accident would not have occurred. How can the officials take up both road-laying and drainage works simultaneously causing severe inconvenience to people,” questioned an Internet café owner T. Suresh Kumar.
Former corporator of the 13th division Koganti Vimala Kumari, who visited the spot, lashed out at VMC officials for not visiting the place even after the incident.
“As some shopowners have approached court opposing demolition of their structures, work has come to a halt. The half-built structures are posing danger to the people,” said Ms. Vimala Kumari.
