45 manhole covers stolen in Srinagar during recent months: Officials

August 3, 2025 by News Desk

More than 45 manhole covers have been stolen from various parts of Srinagar in recent months, raising serious safety concerns among authorities and residents.

The most recent theft was captured on CCTV in the early hours of July 31. Footage shows a man in a passenger auto-rickshaw stealing several covers along the busy Residency Road stretch, from SBI Bank to Abi Guzar.

Officials from Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) said the thefts began in December 2024, with 24 covers reported missing from the Linz Restaurant to Polo View area. In recent weeks, more than five covers have also gone missing between Press Enclave and Clock Tower.

“This is not just theft, it poses a direct danger to pedestrians and motorists. These manhole covers are essential, especially in crowded areas like Lal Chowk,” a senior SSCL official said.

To prevent accidents, SSCL engineers have been restoring the damaged spots. “A day before the latest incident, three of our junior engineers manually fixed two open manholes. After the July 31 theft, they had to go out again to secure more openings,” the official added.

Following the latest incident, SSCL has written to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar and SHO Kothibagh, urging the immediate registration of an FIR and a thorough review of CCTV footage to identify and arrest those involved.

The letter also called for strict legal action and long-term measures to secure manholes across the city.

Officials said the increasing frequency of such incidents, including a recent similar case in Bemina, underscores the need for better protection of public infrastructure.