Boy drowns in drain

VISAKHAPATNAM: A class V student drowned after he accidentally tripped and fell in an overflowing drain at Pandumpullala Veedhi of One Town area in the city on Tuesday. The incident occurred around 8.30 am on Tuesday when  Pilla Aruna, Pilla Verraswami and Pilla Venkataswami were off to a private school.Due to the rains, the drain was overflowing.  An unsuspecting Pilla Venkataswami (12) and Pilla Aruna fell into the drain. However, while the latter escaped, the former died. Traffic police and locals rescued Aruna while Venkataswami could not be saved despite the efforts of his elder brother Verraswami. Venkataswami’s body  was found at Old Bus station area. Police shifted the body to King George Hospital for post mortem. Locals allege GVMC’s inordinate delay in completing cleaning and  desiltation of drains is proving fatal as most drains are not covered with cement plates even after several representations were made in this regard. Locals of One Town area demanded GVMC should complete the drainage works to ensure safety  in the area.