Lal Chowk’s manhole heist: Manhole lids stolen from city centre in surreal theft

Srinagar, Jul 31: In a bizarre and slightly perilous turn of events, the heart of Srinagar woke up Thursday morning to a peculiar kind of heist, not of gold, cash, or cars, but of manhole lids.

Several manhole covers across Lal Chowk were reported missing by shopkeepers and early morning commuters.

The manholes had vanished overnight, turning the city’s roads into booby-trapped minefields for the unsuspecting pedestrian.

The disappearances prompted both confusion and concern among locals, as residents took to social media posting videos of a burglar arriving in an auto rickshaw in the dead of the night and removing manhole covers.

Others were less amused. A shopkeeper near a manhole missing its cover said, “First they take our peace, now they do this.”

While there have been scattered incidents of manhole lid thefts in the past, this coordinated, large-scale vanishing act has raised eyebrows.

A municipal official, while carefully navigating around an uncovered drain, said: “We suspect the covers were stolen for resale in the scrap market. The manhole covers fetch a decent rate these days. But such thefts not only damage public property but pose a serious threat to pedestrians.”

Locals urged the authorities to launch an inquiry and review the available CCTV footage from nearby shops.

Shopkeepers in the area have demanded immediate action, fearing that pedestrians might fall into a drain outside their shops.

“This isn’t just theft, it is sabotage,” said a shopkeeper. “First, they stole our electricity wires. Now, even drains aren’t safe.”

Meanwhile, local wits haven’t let the incident go without a laugh. Memes flooded different social media platforms, one joking: “Next up: Someone’s going to steal Dal Lake bucket by bucket.”

While the humour may soften the blow, the danger remains real.

Meanwhile, the authorities urged residents to report any suspicious activity or individuals wandering with manhole covers to the Police.

Until then, people of Srinagar are advised to tread carefully. The city has always had its ups and downs, and now, quite literally.