Hyderabad: Plagued by deaths inside manholes, the Telangana government officials have roped in Magsaysay Award-winner and founder of National Convener of the Safai Karmachari Andolan, Bezwada Wilson, as the face of the Metro sewerage board.
The opening of the manholes by unauthorised privately-hired workers is keeping metro sewerage board officials on their toes. Blame for deaths or non-fatal incidents is being shifted on HMWSSB staff. In 2016, the state reported 56 manhole deaths.
Officials say residents are still ignorant of the fact that it is illegal to open a manhole without permission from the HMWSSB. Rules say the person hiring the workers will be held responsible for accidents. Last year, in the city, there were eight deaths involving unskilled workers who had opened manholes without any safety measures. Wilson will now head a campaign against such practices.
City sewer lines designed to transport grey water (silt-free sewage) are being abused by residents who dump all sorts of garbage, including construction debris. This is choking the lines.
