A partially covered foot-deep hole at the end of Hill Road that terminates at SV Road in Bandra West has been causing injuries to residents, leading to bruises and fractures. The hole was formed when work on a divider was ongoing, and three-fourths of the cavity is covered by a metal sheet.
Septuagenarian’s unfortunate fall
Shobha Tendulkar’s injuries. PIC/By Special Arrangement
Shobha Tendulkar, 79, who lives in a building near the hole, lost her footing while crossing the road at 11.30 am on Monday, falling into the cavity. Karuna Desai, Tendulkar’s niece, told mid-day, “I was at home when suddenly a little kid ran up and told me that Aaji had fallen. When I rushed downstairs, I saw her stuck in the hole. I went up to her, held her hands, and started pulling her out.”
Injuries sustained by Bandra West resident Shobha Tendulkar after falling in hole at eastern end of Hill Road. PIC/By Special Arrangement
Rescuer’s injuries
While saving Tendulkar, Desai ended up injuring herself. “The metal sheet is so uneven that when a vehicle passed by, I lost my balance and fell, resulting in swelling in my right leg and bruises. I went to the doctor and got a few injections and medicines, which have helped me, but Aaji was very badly hurt.”
(From left) Poonam Choudhary and Karuna Desai, who reside in the same building on Hill Road as Shobha Tendulkar. PIC/Shadab Khan
Aaji’s injuries
Tendulkar ended up with a broken left leg and hallux (big toe) on the right leg. Desai and other bystanders rushed Tendulkar to the nearest hospital, where she underwent surgery.
‘Kids get wounded, too’
According to Poonam Choudhary, who resides in the same building as Tendulkar, many children have tripped at the same spot. “But since they are agile, they manage to avoid getting injured. The cover is very uneven. Day and night, passing vehicles raise a racket because of the lid.”
A board was erected at the spot where the mishap occurred on Hill Road in Bandra West on Tuesday. PIC/SHADAB KHAN
Residents’ concerns
Choudhary claimed residents’ pleas went unheard. “Even on Tuesday, when we told the workers to place the metal plate horizontally, they didn’t pay attention. They just erected a board into the gap in the divider fence to stop people from crossing. They have said they will fix it, but we have to wait and see if they do it or not.”
