Manual sewage cleaning claims 73 lives in Gujarat in 10 years

Amid claims of rapid development and modernisation in Gujarat, the state ranks fifth in the country in terms of deaths linked to manual sewer cleaning. According to a recent report, 73 sewer workers have lost their lives in the state over the past decade while carrying out the hazardous and inhumane work. 

The government data stated that 622 sanitation workers have lost their lives across the country while cleaning sewer tanks. As per this data, Gujarat ranks fifth in the country with 73 deaths. The report also stated that sanitation workers, in most of these cases, were working without any safety equipment.

According to surveys in 2013 and 2018, 105 families in Gujarat are still involved in manual sewers cleaning despite the implementation of the provisions of the law prohibiting manual cleaning of drains.

Earlier, the government introduced provisions for the rehabilitation and alternative employment of sanitation workers, including skill training and financial assistance of ₹40,000 between 2020 and 2024-25. However, the report noted that no funds were allocated by the government for the implementation of the scheme. 

In 2025, the 'National Commission for Safai Karmakari' has received around 28 complaints from Gujarat, but no significant action has been taken.