Punjab Plans Rs. 100 Million Fine to Curb Manhole Cover Theft

The Punjab government has begun developing a legal framework to introduce stricter laws aimed at stopping the theft of manhole covers in Lahore and other major and smaller cities across the province.

The proposal includes imposing heavy fines of up to Rs. 100 million on individuals and businesses involved in the illegal trade of stone manhole covers.

The move comes after repeated theft incidents that have resulted in the deaths of children and frequent sewer blockages.

According to an official source, the cost of a new manhole cover, including iron rings, ranges from Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 12,000.

Thieves mainly target the iron ring, which can weigh up to 30 kilograms, as well as the steel embedded in the concrete cover. Both materials fetch thousands of rupees in scrap markets.

The official said stolen manhole covers and rings are commonly sold to factories, hardware shops, and construction-related businesses.

Another official said the decision to introduce stricter laws was taken after it emerged that organized criminal networks may be involved in the theft and resale of manhole covers.

The matter was discussed in a recent meeting of the Housing and Urban Development and Public Health Engineering Department, attended by managing directors of water and sanitation agencies and other relevant officials.

The meeting concluded that anyone facilitating or benefiting from the illegal trade, including factories and scrapyard owners, would face strict action.

Participants proposed severe financial penalties, with fines reaching Rs. 100 million, for any entity found stealing, reselling, or handling stolen manhole covers.

As part of the plan, district-level special branch police teams will be engaged to monitor and investigate suspected groups involved in the theft and resale of manhole covers.

The objective is to identify organized criminal patterns rather than treating these incidents as minor theft.