HC seeks govt reply on use of robotic tech for sewer cleaning

Times News Network

Jaipur: Rajasthan high court has asked the state govt whether robotic technology can be adopted for cleaning sewer lines following death of two workers during a sanitation operation in Jhotwara area.

A division bench of Justice P S Bhati and Justice Vineet Kumar Mathur passed the order while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Snehanash Foundation Friday.

“Robotic sewer-cleaning technology is already being used in several places,” the court observed.

The court has sought the state govt’s response on the feasibility of implementing such systems in Rajasthan.

Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Pehal Saxena submitted that the provisions of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, were being ignored in the state. “Even in major cities like Jaipur and Jodhpur, the govt failed to effectively implement the law, resulting in repeated tragic incidents involving manual sewer cleaning,” Saxena argued.

The petition stated that on April 17, two labourers were sent into a sewer chamber for cleaning work, where they died due to suffocation. The petitioner contended that there are clear provisions mandating the use of machines for manhole and sewer cleaning and that manual entry into sewer chambers should not have been permitted.

It was further argued that sewer-cleaning operations are carried out under the supervision and directions of municipal corporation officials, making them accountable for such incidents.

During the hearing, Municipal Commissioner Om Kasera, Jhotwara Zone Deputy Commissioner Manisha Yadav, the concerned contractor and other officials appeared before the court in compliance with earlier directions.

The state govt informed the bench that the contractor’s contract was terminated following the incident. It also stated that the families of the deceased workers would be provided financial assistance of Rs 15 lakh each, contractual employment and dairy booth allotments as compensation measures.

The state govt informed the bench that the contractor’s contract had been terminated following the incident. It also stated that the families of the deceased workers would be provided financial assistance of Rs 15 lakh each, contractual employment, and dairy booth allotments as compensation measures.