Outrage after motorcyclist’s fatal fall into open culvert in Thodupuzha

Public outrage and protests erupted in Thodupuzha after a 27-year-old man died when his motorcycle fell into an under-construction culvert pit on Monday night.

The victim, Joys Benny, a resident of Muthalakkodam, fell into the roadside excavation around 10.45 p.m. on Monday while riding towards Thodupuzha. On reaching the construction site near Muthalakkodam, he reportedly lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into the unguarded pit. Although he was rushed to a nearby private hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.

The incident triggered immediate anger among local residents, who alleged gross negligence on the part of the Public Works Department (PWD). They claimed that repeated demands to complete the culvert work had gone unheeded by the authorities.

On Tuesday, United Democratic Front (UDF) activists, led by district panchayat member Manoj Kokkatt, staged a six-hour blockade of the PWD assistant executive engineer’s office in Thodupuzha. The protesters demanded the registration of a criminal case against the officials concerned and compensation for the victim’s family. The protest was called off only after PWD authorities assured that the Executive Engineer would inspect the site and initiate disciplinary action.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also organised a protest march to the PWD office, condemning the department’s alleged lapse.

PWD officials stated that the pit was dug by municipal authorities for drainage clearing, and that they have directed the municipality to cover it.

Joys, who had been working abroad, was scheduled to return on Wednesday. He is survived by his mother, Bindu, and his sister, Anna. His body has been shifted to Thodupuzha Taluk Hospital for a post-mortem examination.