Dinesh Kamath's news 'Many manhole covers stolen in Airoli, expert states reasons for such thefts' that was published in Newsband

Many manhole covers stolen in Airoli, expert states reasons for such thefts

By Dinesh Kamath

NAVI MUMBAI: Many manhole covers were found missing in Airoli thus posing dangers to both pedestrians and motorists. The authorities concerend did not care to do anything about this happenings in Airoli. Stealing of manhole covers is found to be a new kind of crime which some thieves indulge in. They seel these covers to the scrap dealers who must be paying them quite well. Otherwise why would these thieves indulge in stealing of manhole covers? The gaping holes has become a big threat for motorists especialy duing night time. Owing to the removal of manhole covers, the rubble is strewn around and gutter lines are open posing danger to pedestrians. A resident of Airoli had a good suggestion to make. According to him, the manhole covers should be manufactured in such a way that the thieves should not be able to remove them. Airoli ward officer seemed to have liked the idea and the said that he would pass on the suggestion to the higher authorities.

When an expert on manhole covers was approached, he gave detailed information about these covers. He said, “When A manhole cover is a removable plate forming the lid over the opening of a manhole, to prevent anyone or anything from falling in, and to keep out unauthorized persons and material. Manhole covers date back at least to the era of ancient Rome, which had sewer grates made from stone. Manhole covers are often made out of cast iron, concrete or a combination of the two. This makes them inexpensive, strong, and heavy, usually weighing more than 50 kilograms (110 lb). The weight helps to keep them in place when traffic passes over them, and makes it difficult for unauthorised people not having suitable tools to remove them. Manhole covers may also be constructed from glass-reinforced plastic or other composite material (especially in Europe, or where cover theft is of concern). Because of legislation restricting acceptable manual handling weights, Europe has seen a move towards lighter weight composite manhole cover materials, which also have the benefits of greater slip resistance and electrical insulating properties.

A manhole cover sits on metal base, with a smaller inset rim which fits the cover. The base and cover are sometimes called "castings", because they are usually made by a casting process, typically sand-casting techniques.

The covers usually feature "pick holes", into which a hook handle tool is inserted to lift them. Pick holes can be concealed for a more watertight lid, or can allow light to shine through. A manhole pick or hook is typically used to lift them, though other tools can be used as well, including electromagnets.

Although the covers are too large to be easily collectible, their ubiquity and the many patterns and descriptions printed on them has led some people to collect pictures of covers from around the world.

Despite their weight and cumbersome nature, manhole covers are sometimes stolen, usually for resale as scrap, particularly when metal prices rise.

Because of concerns about unauthorized access to underground spaces, manhole covers may be locked down, or even temporarily spot-welded in place. This practice has become routine in some locales, as advance preparation for official parades and similar events attracting large crowds or important people

Because of their aerodynamic design, some modern racing cars create enough vacuum to lift a manhole cover off its recess. During races on city streets, manhole covers must therefore be welded or locked down to prevent injury.”

When the expert was asked about the manhole cover theft, he replied, “Manhole cover theft is the phenomenon of manhole covers being stolen, usually for resale as scrap. Long considered to be a childish prank or simple vandalism, this type of theft is often expensive to municipalities, and dangerous to their residents. In recent years, the theft of manhole covers for financial reasons (i.e. to sell them when scrap metal prices are high) has also become more common.

Manhole cover theft has become a serious problem in India and China, where missing manhole covers caused at least eight deaths in 2004. In the city of Calcutta, India more than 10,000 manhole covers were taken in two months. These were replaced with concrete covers, but these were also stolen, this time for the rebar inside them.

According to China's Xinhua News Agency, about "240,000 manhole and street-drain covers were stolen in Beijing in 2004."

In China Shakes the World, James Kynge describes the phenomenon:

...in the several weeks beginning in mid-February 2004, when, slowly at first but with mounting velocity, manhole covers started to disappear from roads and pavements around the world. As Chinese demand drove up the price of scrap metal to record levels, thieves almost everywhere had the same idea. As darkness fell, they levered up the iron covers and sold them to local merchants, who cut them up and loaded them onto ships to China. The first displacements were felt in Taiwan, the island just off China's southeast coast. The next were in other neighbors such as Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan... Wherever the sun set, pilferers worked to satisfy China's hunger. More than 150 covers disappeared during one month in Chicago. Scotland's "great drain robbery" saw more than a hundred vanish in a few days. From Montreal to Gloucester to Kuala Lumpur, unsuspecting pedestrians stumbled into holes.

In Newham, East London, nearly 200 grates and covers were stolen in 2004. In March and April 2012, Ajax, Ontario and Niagara Falls, Ontario had dozens of manhole covers stolen.”