Punjab Considers Rs100m Penalty for Manhole Cover Theft
LAHORE: Punjab’s government is moving to clamp down on a peculiar but persistent public safety hazard: the theft of manhole covers, according to DAWN. A new proposal under review would introduce hefty fines of up to Rs100 million for anyone found stealing or handling stolen manhole lids, including scrapyard owners and factories, as part of a broader effort to break organised theft rings and protect commuters.
The Danger Behind Manhole Cover Thefts
The theft of these heavy cast-iron or concrete covers isn’t just petty crime. Missing lids leave open holes in roads and pavements, posing serious risks for motorists and pedestrians alike, especially during monsoon rains when visibility drops and roads flood. In some past cases, children and riders have fallen into uncovered manholes, underlining the public safety stakes of this issue.
PakWheels has previously covered how infrastructure gaps, including uncovered sewers and potholes, affect urban mobility and vehicle safety, particularly for two-wheel riders who are most vulnerable to road hazards.
Proposed Penalties and Enforcement
Under the draft framework, stricter legal measures would target not only individuals physically stealing covers but also those facilitating resale or handling illicit materials. Officials involved in drafting the proposal told Dawn that special branch police teams would be mobilised to investigate organised groups rather than treating thefts as isolated incidents.
The plan would empower authorities to pursue large financial penalties and tighten coordination with municipal agencies, including water and sanitation bodies responsible for road infrastructure.
Broader Civic and Safety Impacts
Manhole cover thefts end up costing cities dearly: replacements, traffic disruptions, and accident responses all strain municipal budgets and emergency services. Cities like Rawalpindi and Peshawar have experimented with alternative materials and locking designs to deter theft, while some authorities have installed fiberglass or composite covers with lower scrap value.
For road users, particularly motorcyclists and pedestrians, restored coverage and enforcement would reduce the risk of accidents and vehicle damage. PakWheels data highlights that poor road surfaces are a recurring source of vehicle repairs and safety concerns across Punjab’s urban corridors.
