Sewer deaths: NHRC asks Delhi Government and DJB to comment

New Delhi, 27 May 2005
Reacting to yet another incident of two workers dying in a Sewer mishap in Delhi, the National Human Rights Commission has asked the Chief Secretary Delhi and Chairman Delhi Jal Board to state clearly whether the guidelines and safety codes for operation and maintenance of the sewage system issued by the Commission have been followed scrupulously or not. These guidelines and safety codes were conveyed to the Government of Delhi through a letter dated 18 October 2002. The Commission stated that it would also like to know what steps have been taken by the State Government of Delhi on the recommendations of the Commission in this regard. It has given two weeks time for a response.
Taking suo-motu cognizance of the recent case of two Delhi Jal Board workers (DJB) dying in a sewer in Giri Nagar reported by the media on 25 May 2005, the Commission directed that the copies of the news reports be sent to the Chief Secretary, Delhi and the Chairman of the Delhi Jal Board to look into the allegations and submit their comments within two weeks.
The media had reported that Shri D.C. Pant, a Junior Engineer of Delhi Jal Board had taken Hari Kishan Bahadur, a labourer to get a sewer cleaned after receiving complaints from the residents of Giri Nagar. Hari Kishan reportedly removed the manhole cover and entered the sewer. He fell down unconscious as a result of suffocation by the strong odour of the methane gas emanating from the sewer. The Junior Engineer tried to save him but also fell inside. Thereafter both of them were pulled out and rushed to the hospital where they were declared brought dead. The newspaper reports further disclosed that this is the 13th accident in the last 18 months and at the same time stated that the detailed guidelines issued by the Commission were not followed. The Commission observed if the contents of the news reports are true, it raises a serious issue of violation of human rights and violation of guidelines and safety code for operation and maintenance of sewage systems.