Raipur: The death of five-year-old Kavyansh Sahu after he fell into an open drain in Gandhinagar, Amlidih, has triggered serious questions over the functioning, accountability and safety mechanisms of the Raipur Municipal Corporation (RMC). Following the incident, Municipal Corporation Leader of Opposition Akash Tiwari, along with several Congress councillors, met the Municipal Commissioner and demanded action against the officials responsible for failing to address the reported safety concerns.
According to Tiwari, local residents had submitted five separate applications during the Chief Minister’s Sushasan Tihar seeking the covering of the drain in the area. Despite repeated complaints, the work was allegedly not completed in time. The subsequent death of the child has raised questions over whether timely administrative action could have prevented the tragedy.
Tiwari described the incident as more than an isolated accident, arguing that a series of deaths involving open drains, excavated pits and septic tanks in the municipal limits over the past year point towards broader concerns regarding civic safety and accountability.
Questions Over Repeated Complaints and Administrative Responsibility
Speaking after his meeting with the Municipal Commissioner, Tiwari questioned why the drain was not covered despite repeated applications from residents.
He asked which officer was responsible for acting on the complaints, whether the applications had reached the concerned department and what action would now be taken against the officials responsible for the delay.
Tiwari said that merely ordering an inquiry or providing assurances would not be sufficient. He demanded a clear accountability mechanism and permanent safety measures for open drains, uncovered pits and septic tanks across the city.
According to him, municipal authorities must identify vulnerable locations, conduct regular inspections and ensure that complaints involving potential threats to life are treated as urgent matters.
Previous Incidents Put Municipal Safety Measures Under Scrutiny
Tiwari also referred to several previous incidents in Raipur to highlight what he described as a recurring problem.
Three Children Fell Into a Pit at Gulmohar Park
Last year, three children reportedly fell into a deep pit excavated for a septic tank at Gulmohar Park. One of the children, a seven-year-old, later died during treatment.
The incident had raised questions about barricading, warning signs and safety arrangements around deep construction and excavation sites.
Two Cousins Died in Hirapur
In November 2025, two minor cousins died after falling into a water-filled pit dug for columns at an under-construction house in Hirapur under Zone No. 8.
The incident highlighted concerns over safety arrangements at construction sites and the responsibility of authorities and property owners to prevent children and residents from accessing dangerous excavations.
One-and-a-Half-Year-Old Child Died in Rajendra Nagar
Another tragedy occurred in Rajendra Nagar, where a one-and-a-half-year-old child reportedly drowned after falling into a pit dug outside a house for the construction of a water tank.
The incident once again brought attention to the dangers posed by uncovered pits in residential areas, particularly to young children.
Two Deaths at Ramkrishna Care Hospital
Tiwari also cited the deaths of two people inside a septic tank pit at Ramkrishna Care Hospital, where the victims reportedly died due to suffocation.
The incident raised serious questions regarding septic tank cleaning procedures, occupational safety and compliance with safety standards during hazardous sanitation work.
Death During Septic Tank Cleaning at Ashoka Biryani
Another case mentioned was the death of a person who reportedly suffocated while cleaning a septic tank at Ashoka Biryani.
Tiwari said such incidents demonstrate the potentially fatal consequences of carrying out septic tank cleaning without proper safety equipment, trained personnel and established safety protocols.
Demand to Clear All Pending Applications for Covered Drains
Tiwari urged the Municipal Commissioner to ensure that all pending applications related to covering open drains are disposed of at the earliest.
He said residents should not have to wait for an accident before authorities act. Wherever an open drain poses a potential danger, the municipal administration should conduct an immediate site inspection after receiving a complaint and take necessary preventive and construction measures.
He stressed that civic authorities should adopt a preventive approach rather than waiting for accidents to occur.
Septic Tank at School With Around 800 Students Also Raises Concern
During the meeting, councillor Ronita Prakash Jagat raised the issue of cleaning a septic tank at a government primary school located near a mosque, where around 800 children are reportedly studying.
According to the councillor, an application seeking septic tank cleaning had been submitted to the Zone No. 7 Zonal Commissioner on April 28, 2026. However, the issue allegedly remained unresolved.
The matter prompted Tiwari to question the functioning of the municipal health and sanitation machinery.
He argued that when a school has hundreds of children and a councillor has to repeatedly submit applications for something as basic as septic tank cleaning, it raises serious questions about the efficiency of the health and sanitation department.
“Will the Commissioner Now Have to Be Approached for Routine Cleaning?”
Tiwari questioned whether residents and elected representatives would now have to submit memorandums directly to the Municipal Commissioner even for routine civic services such as septic tank cleaning.
He said that if applications submitted at the ward level are not acted upon, the accountability of zonal officers and field staff must also be examined.
He also demanded a review of the functioning of the Health Officer and the concerned zonal staff, particularly in cases involving sanitation and public safety.
Allegations of Formal Action Against Illegal Construction
The issue of illegal construction was also raised during the meeting. Councillor Renu Jayant Sahu reportedly brought up an illegal construction issue in her ward.
Tiwari alleged that in some cases the municipal corporation was merely issuing notices and completing the formal procedure without taking effective action against unauthorised construction.
He demanded concrete enforcement measures and sought intervention from the Municipal Commissioner. The Commissioner, according to the information provided, assured the delegation that necessary action would be taken soon.
Councillor Sandeep Sahu Seeks Fair Probe
Councillor Sandeep Sahu of Veer Savarkar Nagar Ward No. 1 also met the Municipal Commissioner along with Tiwari.
Sahu submitted a memorandum seeking a fair and transparent inquiry into allegations made against him by the Commissioner of Zone No. 8. He termed the allegations baseless and requested that the matter be investigated objectively so that the facts could be established.
Tiwari also supported the demand for an impartial inquiry and called for the actual circumstances to be brought on record.
Congress Councillors Raise Multiple Ward-Level Issues
The delegation, led by Leader of Opposition Akash Tiwari, raised several issues concerning different wards of the Raipur Municipal Corporation.
Councillors Sandeep Sahu, Jayshree Satyanarayan Nayak, Sheikh Mushir, Arjumn Dhebar, Renu Jayant Sahu, Deepmani Ram Sahu and Ronita Prakash Jagat, among others, were present during the meeting and raised problems related to their respective wards.
The meeting brought several issues—including public safety, open drains, septic tank maintenance, sanitation, illegal construction and administrative accountability—to the attention of the Municipal Commissioner.
Focus Shifts to Prevention and Accountability
The death of young Kavyansh Sahu has once again brought civic safety into sharp focus in Raipur. The central concern raised by the opposition delegation is not limited to the individual tragedy but extends to whether complaints received by municipal authorities are being acted upon within a reasonable timeframe.
With several incidents involving open drains, deep pits and septic tanks cited during the meeting, the demand now is for stronger preventive measures, regular inspections, faster disposal of public complaints and clear accountability of officials.
The issue has also highlighted the need for authorities to ensure that potentially hazardous locations—particularly those near residential areas and schools—are properly barricaded, covered and maintained so that similar tragedies can be prevented in the future.
