Two workers died while repairing a motor inside a 20-foot-deep stormwater drain sump at Thendran Nagar in Kodungaiyur, Chennai, on Monday, with the exact cause of death yet to be established. Officials are investigating whether the workers were killed by an electric shock or inhalation of toxic gas inside the confined space.
The deceased were identified as M Naveen Kumar, 34, of West Tambaram, and M Asmath Basha, 38, of Ranipet district. Both were employed by a private contracting firm engaged in repair work at the sump.
The sump houses two electric motors, each with a capacity of 25 horsepower. One of the motors had developed a fault, and Naveen Kumar entered the 20-foot-deep structure to remove it. He fainted within minutes of entering the sump. Asmath Basha then went down in an attempt to rescue him, but also collapsed.
Other workers at the site alerted the Fire and Rescue Services Department. A team from the Madhavaram fire station reached the location, retrieved the two men and transported them to hospital. They were declared brought dead, according to the report.
A Greater Chennai Corporation official told DT Next that two deep wells had been constructed near the compound wall of the Kodungaiyur Sewage Treatment Plant to manage rainwater flow from Thendral Nagar. The plan was to route water through disposal pipes into a large adjoining open plot near the treatment plant.
The construction of the wells had been completed about a week earlier, but the facility had not been officially handed over by the contractor. Trial testing was still under way when the incident occurred. During the testing, the two motors were installed in the well, and the malfunction was reported to the contractor, who asked the motor supplier, Sovereign Pumps, to address the defect.
According to the GCC official, representatives of the supplier arrived at around 3 pm. No municipal or local officials were present when they opened the access door and prepared to descend into the well. The official said it remained unclear whether a short-circuited motor caused an electric shock or whether the workers were overcome by toxic gas inside the well.
The incident highlights the immediate hazards associated with entering deep stormwater and drainage structures during construction, commissioning and repair activities. However, the available information does not establish whether required electrical isolation, atmospheric testing, ventilation, rescue equipment or confined-space procedures were followed at the site.
The exact cause of death will be determined after the post-mortem examinations. The municipal corporation and other authorities are yet to announce further action on the contractor, the motor supplier or the safety procedures followed during the trial operation.
