TUMKUR: Lack of safety measures in implementing the Under Ground Drainage (UGD) project has proved fatal for labourers, as two more died inside a manhole in Tiptur town on Sunday.The deceased were identified as Dharma (28), of Kenkere village near Gandasi in Arasikere taluk of Hassan district and Jagadeesha (24), supervisor of K B Hala in Chickmagalur district. Dharma lived with his wife and daughter and financially supported his ailing mother, sources said. On Saturday afternoon they were examining the 15 ft manhole filled with six ft water. Dharma entered the pit and died of suffocation. Later, Jagadeesha entered the pit and met the same fate.A team of fellow labourers led by supervisor Sadananda Gowda searched every manhole. Finally they found the victims’ footwear outside the one at Link Road and informed the police. The fire brigade crew visited the spot and tried to fish out the bodies, but fearing suffocation they gave up. The KBR Company, which was implementing the UGD work, got a private agency to lift the bodies at 1 am. Tiptur City Municipal councillors blamed KBR Company for its negligence to take safety measures. They demanded safety measures, including oxygen cylinders and proper lighting for the labourers. Tiptur MLA B C Nagesh reportedly spoke to the concerned in KBR Company which promised Rs 4.5 lakh compensation to each of the victim’s families.Five months ago, a labourer died and two others were injured as the earth caved in during construction works at Sharadadevi Nagara in Tiptur.
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