Bengaluru: Shame! Scavenging in IT city

Bengaluru: Three sanitary contract workers with BWSSB died of asphyxiation when they got into a manhole to clear the blockage in C V Raman Nagar early Tuesday. Though manual scavenging has been banned, the practice is prevalent due to lack of proper regulatory mechanism.

The incident happened on Kaggadasapura Main Road and the deceased have been identified as Eraiah (35), Anjaneya Reddy (34) and Dhavadeen Naidu (40), all from Andhra Pradesh.

The incident took place around 12.30 am. Owing to heavy rains a manhole in the middle of road right opposite to the main gate of Centre for Aeronautical Intelligence and Robotics got clogged.

The sanitary workers hired by Ramkay Enterprises went to attend the complaint. According to nearby residents, one of the workers first got into the manhole to unclog it.

As there was no response from him another worker got into the drain. Being deprived of oxygen, the second worker screamed for help. On hearing his cries driver Dhavadeen Naidu tried to rescue the two. But he too fell unconscious and three of them died.

The contractor is reportedly absconding after the incident, the police said. Byappanahalli police have registered a case against BWSSB and BBMP under Section 304, negligent act resulting in culpable homicide.

Rs 10 lakh compensation
Bengaluru Development Minister K.J. George, who visited the spot, said "Instead of using decongesting jetting and sucking machines, workers themselves got inside the drains. The contractor failed to take any precautionary measures. BWSSB and BBMP should have been more careful while hiring contractors."

He announced Rs 10 lakh compensation to the families of the deceased and also assured to take stringent action against the guilty.