MAUD calls for zero tolerance on safety mishaps on city streets

In several of these incidents, the cause of the incident prima facie seems to be avoidable safety lapses on part of the field level staff. Reasons like negligence in timely preventive maintenance, absence of adherence to safety protocols at work sites, failure to put a safety barricading and danger signboards, insufficient illumination etc are resulting in avoidable mishaps taking precious human lives. Such negligence of the field staff coupled with supervisory lapses on part of senior officers are resulting in such accidents.

Importantly, in the next 72 hours, the MAUD has called for a thorough safety audit to specifically direct all concerned authorities to ensure no manhole, openings on footpaths, any other dangerous cavities, and open electrical wires are not left unattended anywhere and if any, must be attended to in the next 72 hours.

In its circular, MAUD had reiterated that all stakeholders from the field staff to the supervisory officers should be alert and cautious in avoiding worksite mishaps. It said that in case of any mishap, henceforth, the jurisdictional staff shall be primarily held responsible and if any sort of negligence is found on their part, they will be made personally liable for the criminal misconduct leading to human injuries or loss of lives.

Announcing zero tolerance to such incidents, the MAUD has also informed that immediate action including suspension and criminal negligence against the concerned head of the executing agency, head of the department and municipal commissioner will be initiated, in case any such negligence is noticed henceforth.