All BOQ templates

Manhole / Inspection Chamber

Brick masonry inspection chamber providing access to buried pipelines for maintenance — applies to water-supply (at junctions / off-takes / dead-ends for flushing), sewer (every 30 m on gravity sewers), storm drains (at every change of direction), and general utility (cable / telecom drop chambers). PCC bed, brick walls in CM 1:6, RCC cover slab with CI manhole frame + cover, MS step irons. Per IS 4111 Part 1 + CPHEEO Manual on Sewerage. Rates: CPWD DSR Vol 1 + Vol 2 (2023).

Visual confirmation
Visual schematics coming soon for this template.
Bill of Quantities11 items · CPWD DSR Vol 1 + Vol 2 (2023)
#CodeDescriptionUnitQtyRate (₹)Amount (₹)
12.8.1ExcavationEarth work in excavation by mechanical means (Hydraulic excavator) / manual means in foundation trenches or drains (not exceeding 1.5 m in width or 10 sqm on plan), including dressing of sides and ramming of bottoms, for all lift, including getting out the excavated soil and disposal of surplus excavated soil as directed, within a lead of 50 m. — All kinds of soil.Cum4.52260.301,176.56
24.1.10Pcc BedProviding and laying in position cement concrete of specified grade excluding the cost of centering and shuttering - All work up to plinth level : — 1:5:10 (1 cement : 5 coarse sand (zone-III) derived from natural sources : 10 graded stone aggregate 40 mm nominal size derived from natural sources)Cum0.186,518.601,173.35
36.4.2Brick WallsBrick work with common burnt clay F.P.S. (non modular) bricks of class designation 7.5 in superstructure above plinth level up to floor V level in all shapes and sizes in : — Cement mortar 1:6 (1 cement : 6 coarse sand)Cum1.569,105.9514,205.28
44.10DpcProviding and laying damp-proof course 40 mm thick with cement concrete 1:2:4 (1 cement : 2 coarse sand (zone-III) derived from natural sources : 4 graded stone aggregate 12.5 mm nominal size derived from natural sources)Sqm0.69410.85283.49
55.3Rcc Cover SlabReinforced cement concrete work in beams, suspended floors, roofs having slope up to 15° landings, balconies, shelves, chajjas, lintels, bands, plain window sills, staircases and spiral stair cases above plinth level up to floor five level, excluding the cost of centering, shuttering, finishing and reinforcement with 1:1.5:3 (1 cement : 1.5 coarse sand(zone-III) derived from natural sources : 3 graded stone aggregate 20 mm nominal size derived from natural sources).Cum0.1411,505.501,610.77
65.9.3Centering SlabCentering and shuttering including strutting, propping etc. and removal of form for — Suspended floors, roofs, landings, balconies and access platformSqm1.44927.251,335.24
75.22.6SteelSteel reinforcement for R.C.C. work including straightening, cutting, bending, placing in position and binding all complete upto plinth level. — Thermo-Mechanically Treated bars of grade Fe-500D or more.Kg14.42107.851,555.20
813.1.2Plaster Int12 mm cement plaster of mix : — 1:6 (1 cement: 6 fine sand)Sqm5.94333.351,980.10
94.1.10Benching PccProviding and laying in position cement concrete of specified grade excluding the cost of centering and shuttering - All work up to plinth level : — 1:5:10 (1 cement : 5 coarse sand (zone-III) derived from natural sources : 10 graded stone aggregate 40 mm nominal size derived from natural sources)Cum0.086,518.60521.49
107132Manhole CoverCircular shape 450 mm dia precast R.C.C. manhole cover with frame - L.D. - 2.5Each1.00610.00610.00
115.22.6Step IronsSteel reinforcement for R.C.C. work including straightening, cutting, bending, placing in position and binding all complete upto plinth level. — Thermo-Mechanically Treated bars of grade Fe-500D or more.Kg4.80107.85517.68
Your inputsChamber shape Rectangular · Inside dimension 900 mm · Inside width 600 mm · depth 1.5 m · Wall thk 230 mm · MS step irons · -concrete benching at invert · chambers 1TOTAL₹24,969
12.8.1₹1,177
Excavation
Earth work in excavation by mechanical means (Hydraulic excavator) / manual means in foundation trenches or drains (not exceeding 1.5 m in width or 10 sqm on plan), including dressing of sides and ramming of bottoms, for all lift, including getting out the excavated soil and disposal of surplus excavated soil as directed, within a lead of 50 m. — All kinds of soil.
4.52 Cum× ₹260.30
24.1.10₹1,173
Pcc Bed
Providing and laying in position cement concrete of specified grade excluding the cost of centering and shuttering - All work up to plinth level : — 1:5:10 (1 cement : 5 coarse sand (zone-III) derived from natural sources : 10 graded stone aggregate 40 mm nominal size derived from natural sources)
0.18 Cum× ₹6,518.60
36.4.2₹14,205
Brick Walls
Brick work with common burnt clay F.P.S. (non modular) bricks of class designation 7.5 in superstructure above plinth level up to floor V level in all shapes and sizes in : — Cement mortar 1:6 (1 cement : 6 coarse sand)
1.56 Cum× ₹9,105.95
44.10₹283
Dpc
Providing and laying damp-proof course 40 mm thick with cement concrete 1:2:4 (1 cement : 2 coarse sand (zone-III) derived from natural sources : 4 graded stone aggregate 12.5 mm nominal size derived from natural sources)
0.69 Sqm× ₹410.85
55.3₹1,611
Rcc Cover Slab
Reinforced cement concrete work in beams, suspended floors, roofs having slope up to 15° landings, balconies, shelves, chajjas, lintels, bands, plain window sills, staircases and spiral stair cases above plinth level up to floor five level, excluding the cost of centering, shuttering, finishing and reinforcement with 1:1.5:3 (1 cement : 1.5 coarse sand(zone-III) derived from natural sources : 3 graded stone aggregate 20 mm nominal size derived from natural sources).
0.14 Cum× ₹11,505.50
65.9.3₹1,335
Centering Slab
Centering and shuttering including strutting, propping etc. and removal of form for — Suspended floors, roofs, landings, balconies and access platform
1.44 Sqm× ₹927.25
75.22.6₹1,555
Steel
Steel reinforcement for R.C.C. work including straightening, cutting, bending, placing in position and binding all complete upto plinth level. — Thermo-Mechanically Treated bars of grade Fe-500D or more.
14.42 Kg× ₹107.85
813.1.2₹1,980
Plaster Int
12 mm cement plaster of mix : — 1:6 (1 cement: 6 fine sand)
5.94 Sqm× ₹333.35
94.1.10₹521
Benching Pcc
Providing and laying in position cement concrete of specified grade excluding the cost of centering and shuttering - All work up to plinth level : — 1:5:10 (1 cement : 5 coarse sand (zone-III) derived from natural sources : 10 graded stone aggregate 40 mm nominal size derived from natural sources)
0.08 Cum× ₹6,518.60
107132₹610
Manhole Cover
Circular shape 450 mm dia precast R.C.C. manhole cover with frame - L.D. - 2.5
1.00 Each× ₹610.00
115.22.6₹518
Step Irons
Steel reinforcement for R.C.C. work including straightening, cutting, bending, placing in position and binding all complete upto plinth level. — Thermo-Mechanically Treated bars of grade Fe-500D or more.
4.80 Kg× ₹107.85
Chamber shape Rectangular · Inside dimension 900 mm · Inside width 600 mm · depth 1.5 m · Wall thk 230 mm · MS step irons · -concrete benching at invert · chambers 1
Estimated total
₹24,969
Notes & assumptions
  • **Sizing rule** (IS 4111 + CPHEEO Manual on Sewerage): inside dimension ≥ 900 mm for any chamber ≥ 1.0 m deep (must allow safe person entry). Smaller 600/750 mm chambers acceptable only for shallow utility-access chambers (≤ 0.9 m deep) with rod-cleaning access from above.
  • **Rectangular vs circular**: rectangular is simpler to build + cheaper for shallow chambers (< 1.5 m). Circular is structurally efficient for deep chambers (≥ 2.0 m) — hoop tension distributes wall load uniformly, allowing thinner walls. Switch via dropdown.
  • **Wall thickness ladder** (IS 4111 Table 1): ≤ 2 m deep → 230 mm; 2-4 m → 345 mm (1½-brick); > 4 m → 460 mm (2-brick) or switch to RCC. For very deep manholes (> 6 m) RCC ring chambers are standard — different template.
  • **Step irons** (MS 20 mm dia bent to L-shape, embedded into wall during construction) are mandatory for any manhole ≥ 1.0 m deep per IS 4111. Spacing: 300 mm vertical, first step 300 mm below cover. Steel quantity formula approximates 1.2 kg per step.
  • **Benching** (cement concrete sloped surface at the invert level guiding flow toward the outlet) is essential for sewer manholes — prevents stagnation + cleaning. Skip for water-supply manholes (no continuous flow at invert).
  • **RCC cover slab thickness** auto-scales: ≤ 0.9 m chamber → 100 mm; 0.9-1.2 m → 125 mm; > 1.2 m → 150 mm slab with 12 mm bars. For under H-class traffic load (highway carriageway), bump to next thickness manually.
  • Excludes: drop manhole arrangement for deep sewer drops > 600 mm (use CPHEEO Manual on Sewerage Section 5.7 design); cast-iron rim flush with paved carriageway (₹4,000-6,000 extra); approach paving; under-bench channel formation for multi-pipe manholes; safety chain / hook for confined-space rescue.
  • **Cost target** for the standard 900 × 600 × 1.5 m rectangular manhole with 230 mm brick walls + 125 mm RCC cover + CI cover + 4 step irons + benching: approximately ₹18,000-22,000 per chamber per CPWD DSR 2023 (excluding GST + contractor profit).

A **Manhole / Inspection Chamber** is the brick or RCC pit that provides maintenance access to buried pipelines — the single most-quoted civil item in any infrastructure BOQ. Every gravity sewer has one every 30 m; every storm drain has one at every direction change; every water-supply network has them at junctions, off-takes, and flushing points. Per **IS 4111 Part 1** the standard chamber is rectangular brick masonry (900 × 600 mm inside ≥ 1.0 m deep), with PCC bed, RCC cover slab, CI manhole frame + cover, step irons, and (for sewers) cement-concrete benching at the invert. This Builder generates the per-chamber BOQ for any size + depth + shape, and you set the chamber count for your whole project — a typical JJM village scheme has 40-80 chambers totaling ₹8-16 lakhs.

When to use a manhole vs an inspection chamber vs a junction box

**Manhole** — large chamber (≥ 900 mm inside, ≥ 1.0 m deep) sized for safe person entry with step irons + benching + manhole cover. Mandatory on gravity sewers per CPHEEO Manual + on any drainage line ≥ 600 mm dia. **Inspection Chamber** — smaller chamber (450-750 mm inside, ≤ 0.9 m deep) for rod-cleaning access only (no person entry). Used on house drainage connections + small storm drains + cable / telecom drop chambers. Same construction, smaller size, no step irons needed. **Junction Box** — purely structural chamber at the meeting point of 2+ pipes; sized to fit pipe geometry + provide hand access for jointing. Often a custom-shaped variant of the inspection chamber. **For water-supply mains** all three are loosely called 'valve chambers' depending on what's inside — see [SVC](/boq/sluice-valve-chamber) and [AVC](/boq/air-valve-chamber) templates for purpose-built water-valve enclosures.

Construction sequence

(1) Set out chamber centre + orientation w.r.t. incoming + outgoing pipes. (2) Excavate trench to design depth + 300 mm working room all round. (3) Lay 100 mm PCC bed M10. (4) Build brick walls in CM 1:6, starting from 230 mm thick at bottom (or 345 mm if deeper than 2 m); raise course-by-course. (5) Embed step irons at 300 mm vertical c/c as walls rise (first step 300 mm below cover level). (6) Apply DPC bitumen layer at plinth. (7) For sewer chambers — build benching at invert level (1:6 cement concrete sloped 1:10 toward outlet). (8) Cast 125 mm RCC cover slab with central opening for manhole cover (typically 600 × 450 mm clear opening, frame embedded in slab). (9) Internal cement plaster CM 1:3 finishing smooth. (10) Backfill in 200 mm lifts, watered + tamped. (11) Install CI manhole cover + frame, set flush with finished surface.

Frequently asked questions
Per CPWD DSR 2023, a standard rectangular manhole (900 × 600 mm inside, 1.5 m deep, 230 mm brick walls, 125 mm RCC cover, CI manhole cover, 4 step irons, benching) costs approximately **₹18,000-22,000** per chamber. Larger 1200 × 900 × 2.0 m manhole costs **₹35,000-45,000**. For a JJM village scheme with 40 such manholes the total is ₹7-10 lakhs. State-PWD rates run 8-15 % below CPWD DSR.
Disclaimer: Rates sourced from CPWD DSR Vol 1 + Vol 2 (2023). Indicative for estimation only — actual tender quotations are governed by market forces, locality factors and current input prices. Quantities follow IS 1200 measurement. Always verify with a local quote before finalising. © InfraLens — infralens.in