MC worker loses consciousness while cleaning sewer

Ludhiana: A contractual employee of the municipal corporation lost consciousness while cleaning a sewerage line on Tajpur Road on Friday evening. Sagar was without a safety kit when he entered the line.
After receiving a complaint of a choked sewerage line in EWS Colony, Sagar was put on the job. Around 4.30pm, he lost consciousness on inhaling the gases.
On learning about it, SAD functionary Balwinder Singh Shanky, who is the husband of councillor of Ward 17, reached the spot and took Sagar to a hospital. He is stated to be out of danger.
“Choked sewer is a problem in the ward. We have requested the MC officials several times to send employees equipped with safety kits to redress the problem, but none seems to pay heed,” Balwinder said.
Superintending engineer of operation and maintenance cell Rajinder Singh said he had not received any information about the incident. “We will inquire from the staff concerned. Action will be taken if negligence is found on the part of officials concerned,” he said.
It is not the first time that such an incident has taken place in the city. Several times before, cleaners either lost consciousness or their lives while cleaning sewer lines as they were not equipped with safety gear.