Recent reports from 2025 reveal a grave safety crisis among sewer and septic tank workers in India. Over 90% of workers who died during hazardous cleaning lacked proper safety gear. This exposes a critical gap in worker protection despite government efforts. The issue remains a major public health and social justice concern.
Extent of the Problem
Between 2022 and 2023, 150 workers died while cleaning sewers or septic tanks across India. A social audit reviewed 54 deaths in 17 districts spanning eight States and Union Territories. The audit found that most workers were unprotected and unaware of the risks. Manual scavenging is officially banned but hazardous cleaning continues with poor safeguards.
Lack of Safety Equipment and Training
In 49 of the 54 cases studied, workers wore no safety equipment. Only a few had gloves or gumboots. Mechanised cleaning tools were rarely provided. Training on safe procedures was almost non-existent. Agencies responsible for cleaning showed no readiness in providing protective gear or equipment. This negligence led to repeated fatal accidents.
Absence of Informed Consent
In 27 cases, workers gave no consent before engaging in hazardous cleaning. Even where consent was documented, workers were not informed about the dangers involved. Most workers were hired individually or contracted without institutional support. Only a minority worked directly for government or public sector agencies.
Government Initiatives and Challenges
The Union Government launched the NAMASTE scheme in July 2023 to address these issues. The scheme identified nearly 85,000 sewer and septic tank workers nationwide. About half have received PPE kits and safety gear so far. Odisha stands out with full coverage under its Garima scheme. Capital subsidies worth over ₹20 crore have been allocated to improve safety. Nearly 1,000 workshops have been conducted to raise awareness.
Ongoing Gaps and Regional Variations
Despite the NAMASTE scheme, many workers remain unprotected. Awareness drives are sporadic and incomplete. Some States have made progress, but others lag behind. The lack of mechanised equipment and proper hiring practices continues. This marks the need for stronger enforcement and better institutional frameworks.
Social and Legal Context
Manual scavenging is legally banned but hazardous cleaning persists under different forms. The issue intersects with caste discrimination and social justice. The deaths underline systemic neglect of sanitation workers’ rights and safety. Comprehensive reforms are required to eliminate risks and safeguard dignity.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically discuss the challenges in implementing occupational safety laws for sanitation workers in India with examples from hazardous sewer cleaning.
- Examine the role of government schemes like NAMASTE in improving labour welfare and safety. How effective are such schemes in addressing systemic social issues?
- Analyse the social implications of manual scavenging and hazardous cleaning in India. Discuss in the light of caste-based discrimination and labour rights.
- With suitable examples, discuss the importance of mechanisation and technology in improving occupational health and safety in informal sectors like sanitation.
