India, Dec. 29 -- Sir,

This refers to the news item "Unsafe UGD pipeline works keep Aravinda Nagar residents wary" (SOM dated Dec. 23).

So true. Many contractors do not use safety barriers, red-and-white tape, cautionary signboards, or temporary slabs over trenches in front of residential gates.

In some places, the bridge should be wide enough for the house owner to drive a car on, as parking on the side further narrows the road width, especially with barriers on both sides of the slab (a sort of bridge or culvert).

Workers are often seen without safety shoes or hats and there is no full-time safety supervisor to stop work when safety issues are not addressed. These safety features are probably not mentioned in the tender documents. ...