The fact is that numerous deaths occur across India as a result of manual scavenging. They are scarcely reported. Urban civic bodies do have sanitary gear equipment which includes tank cleaning lorries.
But, in practice, most are in a state of disrepair and sanitary workers are compelled to do the jobs manually. The civic administration needs to ensure that all equipment is maintained and cleaning work carried out under proper supervision (Editorial, “Lethal filth”, September 17).
S. Nallasivan,
Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu
There cannot be change unless a sustainable mechanised process is implemented at the ground level. In this the roles of technological entrepreneurs and State research institutions are crucial. Prominent examples are the sewer cleaning robot, ‘Bandicoot’, devised by a start-up in Kerala, and ‘Sewer Croc’. There is also a device that can be attached to a manhole to record the level of poisonous gases. Wide publicity needs to be given to such inventions.
Akash Singh,
Lucknow
It is a shame that much after Independence, people from the lowest strata of the society are forced to take up manual scavenging for a livelihood.
The Central government needs to make budgetary allocations to alleviate the sufferings of the poor and marginalised who are forced into such life-threatening jobs rather than pouring crores into bullet train projects and giant offshore statues. The highest court of the country should take suo motu cognisance of this issue and send strictures to the Centre and States.
G.B. Sivanandam,
Coimbatore
It is ironic that in a country where PILs are filed over mere winking, film titles and lyrics, the numerous deaths of innocent sanitary workers are being ignored. It is a complete shame and an embarrassment. A systematic approach has to be adopted to eliminate manual scavenging once and for all.
Naveen Rattu,
Chandigarh