Sanitation Worker Dies in Delhi While Cleaning Sewer, 1 Arrested

37-year-old Anil suffocated to death after allegedly falling in the sewer of a building in Dwarka’s Dabri.

(Photo: Flickr/Altered by The Quint)

A sanitation worker suffocated to death after allegedly falling in the sewer of a building which he had entered to clean in Dwarka's Dabri area in Delhi, police told PTI on Sunday, 16 September.

The incidents come just a week after five persons died due to asphyxiation when they entered a sewage treatment plant in the Moti Nagar area.

Anil, 27, was hired by a person named Satbir to clean the sewer line as water was stagnant in his building, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Anto Alphonse said, adding the incident was reported to the police on 14 September.

While climbing down the sewer, Anil slipped and the rope around his waist broke, following which he fell in the 20-feet deep sewer.

During investigation, it was learnt that Anil was not given any protective gear and even the rope was not strong enough to bear the tension.

“The contractor Satbir Kala had hired the victim, Anil, to clean the stagnant sewer line. Kala was admitted to a private hospital for high blood pressure on the night of the incident…he was discharged on Sunday and will be arrested soon,” Alphonse told The Indian Express.

An FIR has been registered in the case and Kala has been arrested.

The FIR also mentioned that the man who helped Anil go down the sewer had warned Kala of an impending mishap, saying that the rope is loose and can break at any moment, the newspaper reported.

Locals Allege Civic Apathy

According to The Indian Express, the sewer was set up by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) a few months ago.

“This is civic apathy…no one shows up after complaints,” Ina, a resident in the locality told the paper.

However, a DJB official said that the sewer wasn’t commissioned yet.

“While the sewer falls under our authority, it has not been notified and commissioned yet. The cleaning was done privately, and no one sought permission from the Board,” the officer told the newspaper.

Anil is survived by his wife, Rani, and three children, who live in Dabri Extension.

“I spoke to him at 7 pm on Friday and he told me he is doing this job… an hour later, I found out that he had died. He was supposed to be paid Rs 400-500 for this job,” said Rani, as quoted by The Indian Express.

Rani also alleged foul play by the contractor.

“I have lost my husband because of the contractor’s carelessness. We live in a 10×10 room and I cannot even afford the rent now… My 11-year-old son started school last week. Our future is in jeopardy now,” she told the newspaper.

(With inputs from PTI and The Indian Express)