Daijiworld Media Network - Dharwad (SP)

Dharwad, Apr 2: Two civic workers, who had entered a manhole near the railway under-bridge on Gadag Road here on Wednesday April 1 lost their lives. Another worker also rushed to help his friends, but he too was set to be doomed before people nearby came to his rescue and saved his life.

Suphal Biswas (50) from West Bengal and Hanumant Chavan (23) from Andhra Pradesh died in this incident. The third worker, Anthony, who was trying to help his colleagues, had started letting out wails because of suffocation inside the manhole. People who heard his shouts went there and dragged him safely outside.

The bodies were shifted to the mortuary of Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences hospital here.

Under the city corporation here, underground drainage works are going on since the last two years. The work is contracted to Eagle Constructions, a Pune-based company.

The workers had got into the manhole for removing wooden pieces supporting centring work there. After they tossed a few wooden pieces out, there was no more action from their side. Anthony went to see what was happening. Sensing the urgency, he went in with the help of a rope, but soon was struggling for breath. After he raised alarm, other people brought him out.

Later, policemen and fire brigade staff together brought the dead bodies out. A case was registered in Keshwapur police station here.

Commissioner of Hubli-Dharwad city corporation, Noor Mansoor, said that the corporation was not to be blamed for the incident. He said action would be taken if the contractors are found to have violated rules and conditions.