JAIPUR: Two workers died and another critical in a sewer-cleaning accident in the Jaipur Municipal Corporation’s Jhotwara Zone Friday, renewing concerns over worker safety. The accident occurred at a sewer chamber on Shekhawat Marg near Niwaru Road.Police said workers Ajay, Rambabu and Ravi, hired by a JMC contractor, had entered the tank to open a sewer valve during cleaning work when they collapsed because of suspected methane gas accumulated inside. Co-workers at the site tried to rescue them and shut down the chamber, but by then all three had been severely affected.Kardhani police and SDRF teams later reached the spot and carried out a rescue operation. All three were taken to Kanwatia Hospital, where Ajay and Rambabu were declared dead. Ravi is undergoing treatment.JMC commissioner Om Kasera said, “There has been a lapse somewhere. A proper inquiry will be conducted, and action will be taken against those found responsible.”After the incident, family members and sanitation workers gathered at the govt hospital. Members of the Sayukt Valimiki Evam Safayi Shramik Sangh staged a protest and demanded action against those responsible.Union member Suresh Dabodiya said, “Supreme Court guidelines clearly state that no sanitation worker should be sent into such tanks without proper safety equipment. When machines and robots are available, why were workers sent inside?”The union demanded the arrest of the JMC contractor and the JEN, AEN and XEN officials concerned, govt jobs for one family member of each deceased worker, compensation of Rs 1 crore each to the families, and strict measures to prevent similar incidents in future. The union warned of a wider protest across Jaipur and Rajasthan if the demands were ignored.
