The Rajasthan High Court has asked the state government whether robotic technology can be adopted for cleaning sewer lines, following the deaths of two workers during a sanitation operation in the Jhotwara area of Jaipur.
Court's Observations and Directions
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 on Friday. The court observed that robotic sewer-cleaning technology is already being used in several places. The bench has sought the state government's response on the feasibility of implementing such systems in Rajasthan.
Petitioner's Arguments
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 government 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.
Government's Response
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 government 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 court has now directed the state government to file a detailed affidavit on the feasibility of adopting robotic sewer-cleaning technology across Rajasthan. The matter is scheduled for further hearing.
