Tragic Incident: Manual Scavenger Dies During Manhole Cleanup in West Bengal
Synopsis
A manual scavenger tragically lost his life while cleaning a manhole in West Bengal, with two others falling ill. This incident raises urgent questions about worker safety in hazardous conditions.
Key Takeaways
Manual scavenger dies cleaning a manhole .
Two other workers fall ill during the operation.
Incident highlights urgent need for worker safety .
Authorities plan to implement new safety measures.
Community response calls for improved protections for workers.
Kolkata, March 5 (NationPress) A tragic incident occurred on Thursday when a manual scavenger lost his life while cleaning a manhole in Ward No. 12 of the Serampore Municipality, situated in the Hooghly district of West Bengal. Additionally, two other workers became ill while performing tasks in the same manhole.
Upon learning that three workers had fallen sick, firefighters and local residents quickly arrived at the scene, providing assistance and transporting the individuals to Serampore Walsh Hospital.
Unfortunately, one of the workers was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. The deceased has been identified as Sheikh Mustafa, who was just 34 years old. The other two workers are currently receiving medical treatment.
Local residents reported that work was in progress as part of the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) water project, specifically involving the underground sewer at Ram-Sita Lane in Serampore.
Several workers contracted by a company were tasked with cleaning the manhole in connection with this project.
According to police reports, one worker initially fell ill while working inside the manhole on Thursday, prompting the other two to fall sick while attempting to assist him.
“All three workers were rescued and taken to Serampore Walsh Hospital. Sadly, one was declared dead upon arrival, while the other two remain under care,” stated a senior officer from the Chandannagar Police Commissionerate.
Serampore Municipality Chairman Giridhari Saha confirmed that KMDA project work was ongoing in the municipal area.
“Three contract workers suffered health issues during their duties. The death of one individual is profoundly tragic. The deceased resided in the Maheshtala police station area, located in South 24 Parganas district,” said Saha.
In light of this incident, he emphasized that special measures will be implemented to avert such occurrences in the future.
He assured that steps would be taken to ensure that workers do not become trapped in manholes and can be swiftly rescued if they experience health problems while performing their tasks.
“It is our duty to guarantee the safety of these workers during tasks that require them to enter manholes. Hence, we have decided to utilize strong ropes and safety gear to facilitate their quick exit if they feel unwell,” a representative from Serampore Municipality stated.
Point of View
Emphasizing that the lives of manual scavengers must be prioritized. The community and authorities should take immediate steps to prevent such tragedies in the future.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in Serampore, West Bengal?
A manual scavenger died while cleaning a manhole, and two other workers fell sick during the same operation.
Who was the deceased?
The deceased was identified as Sheikh Mustafa, a 34-year-old manual scavenger.
What actions are being taken following the incident?
Authorities are implementing special precautions to enhance worker safety and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Where did the incident occur?
The incident took place in Ward No. 12 of Serampore Municipality, Hooghly district, West Bengal.
What is the KMDA project related to?
The KMDA project involves work on the underground sewer system in the area.
