Three workers die in Bengaluru while cleaning manhole in Bandypalya

Three workers died due to suffocation on Sunday afternoon when they went inside a manhole of a sewage plant to clear the blockage in the premises of a private apartment in Bandypalya area of Bengaluru.

The three deceased have been identified as Narayana Swamy (35), Srinivas (52) and Mahadeva Gowda (42). All the three were not professional sanitary workers.

One of the workers while entering the manhole, slipped down and to rescue him, the other two also went inside. However, the three of them collapsed due to suffocation.

Speaking to Media, Satish Reddy, local MLA said,” as soon as I received the information, I reached here. In meantime, fire service and police officials had also started the rescue operation but unfortunately, they couldn’t rescue them. These persons where hired by apartment association and they were not the professionals. I have announced Rs. 1 lakh ex-gratia to each family since they are economically very weak”.

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Manual scavenging is banned in India but still, some people are continuing with it. Last year also Bengaluru has witnessed few deaths because of manual scavenging.

Sampat Raj, Mayor said,” Supreme court and the high court has already banned manual scavenging but still people are continuing with this.

In Bengaluru, we have sophisticated equipment for manhole cleaning, I have asked my officials to start a campaign against the manual scavenging from Monday itself so that we can create awareness’’.

KJ George, Bengaluru Development Minister also visited the spot and issued the orders for a detailed inquiry into the incident. George said,” Guilty will be punished and BBMP will give Rs. 5 lakh ex gratia to the families of the deceased”.

South East division of Bengaluru police has registered the case and started the investigation.