Why are so many manhole covers made in India? This is a question that I have been pondering for years. I decided to do some investigating, and there’s a lot more to this question than I expected. This is a reminder that life is filled with opportunities to learn. It’s never too late to discover something new! 

Here’s what prompted me to ponder this question about manhole covers (also called sewer covers, utility covers and drain covers). We live in a suburban neighborhood with openings along the curbing that channel stormwater runoff into the local water system. In our case, that water flows into Falling Creek, a tributary of the James River, which eventually flows into the Chesapeake Bay.  

There are two drain openings along the curbing of our front yard. Each drain opening has a manhole cover that enables utility workers to access the series of pipes that run below the street. When I’ve been mowing the lawn or walking the dog, I have noticed that the heavy, round, cast-iron covers include the words “Made in India.” In fact, when I am out and about in other parts of Richmond and even in other cities, I have seen the same place of origin stamped on these covers.   

As with any development, whether a subdivision or city street, there is a bidding process for many of the materials and products involved. We can imagine all the engineering that goes into determining the purpose, positioning, and safety requirements of road construction public utilities. These covers need to be heavy enough to support road traffic and accessible for utility and public safety workers. They also need to be flush with the road surface so that snowplows and other vehicles don’t catch on them.  

Through my online research for this article, I learned that many of the world’s manhole covers are made in foundries in Howrah, a city in the Indian state of West Bengal.  

I discovered a great 2023 article titled “NYC Manhole Covers: History and How They’re Made” by Michelle Young that offers excellent insight. The writer links to a short film titled Cast in India, which I plan to watch. The trailer is just over two minutes long and gives us a glimpse of the men and women who endure grueling heat and backbreaking work to produce these covers for cities and towns all over the world. 

What does this have to do with church, ministry, and the Gospel? Behind the manhole covers and other cast-iron products that I walk by and drive over are people created in the image of God. May we pause to recognize and honor their work, pray for their safety, and remember them in our prayers. May they experience the love of Christ through the witness of those around them, both in their workplaces and in their communities.  

God’s blessings