# Jasola drain still uncovered a month after teen’s drowning 2026-09-27T21:41:21+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet More than a month after 15-year-old Mithun Kumar drowned in an open drain in south Delhi's Jasola, the drain remains uncovered and without an embankment. Residents have put up termite-eaten wooden planks to cordon off the alley, but these are not strong or high enough to prevent accidents. The colony is flanked by two drains choked with plastic waste, and a stench of animal carcasses fills the air. Mithun's parents have quit their jobs for fear of leaving their three children alone. His father, Awadhesh Kumar, said he has not received the post-mortem report or the Rs 5 lakh compensation promised by the Delhi government. A government official said the payment process is complete and a cheque is likely to be given next week. The police said the post-mortem report is not yet finished. The MCD did not respond to queries. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The delay in covering the drain mirrors a pattern across Delhi where over 200 open drains have been flagged by the Delhi Jal Board as hazardous since 2022, but fewer than half have been covered. The Rs 5 lakh compensation for Mithun's family falls under the Delhi government's disaster relief framework, which typically releases funds after a magisterial inquiry confirms the cause of death. With the inquiry still incomplete, the family remains caught between procedural delay and daily danger. The next milestone is the promised cheque next week, but the larger question of who maintains Jasola's drains, the MCD or the DJB, remains unresolved, often stalling action. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com Tags: Delhi government, Jasola, MCD, Mithun Kumar, NDRF Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/jasola-drain-still-uncovered-a-month-after-teens-drowning/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/jasola-drain-still-uncovered-a-month-after-teens-drowning/#story-in-brief