Two workers dead, two hospitalised after sewage pit fall at Ahmedabad STP
Synopsis
A routine welding job at an Ahmedabad sewage treatment plant turned fatal on 26 October when one worker fell into a pit and three colleagues who rushed to help were overcome by toxic gases. Two are dead, two hospitalised — and investigators are now probing whether basic confined-space safety norms were ever in place at the site.
Key Takeaways
Two workers — Abhishek (28) and Manohar Adhave (40) — died after falling into a sewage pit at an STP in Ahmedabad's Sola area on 26 October .
Rupesh Ananda Baviskar (39) and Neelesh Lodhi (26) were hospitalised at Sola Civil Hospital after losing consciousness during the rescue attempt.
Suspected hazardous gases from the sewage complicated the rescue operation.
The Ahmedabad Fire Brigade responded to a 112 helpline call and retrieved all four workers using safety equipment.
Sola police have launched a formal investigation into site safety, available equipment, and emergency response arrangements.
Reports indicate some labourers were reportedly living inside the plant premises in makeshift huts.
Two workers lost their lives and two others were hospitalised on 26 October after all four fell into a pit at a sewage treatment plant (STP) in Ahmedabad's Sola area, with suspected exposure to hazardous gases significantly hampering rescue efforts. The incident is under investigation by Sola police.
Who the victims are
The deceased have been identified as Abhishek, a 28-year-old welding worker, and Manohar Adhave, a 40-year-old supervisor. The two survivors — Rupesh Ananda Baviskar, 39, a project manager, and Neelesh Lodhi, 26 — were admitted to Sola Civil Hospital for treatment. Hospital records confirm Abhishek and Adhave were brought in dead, while Baviskar and Lodhi remain under care.
How the accident unfolded
According to preliminary information, Abhishek had entered the pumping unit of the STP to carry out welding work. After finishing the job, he reportedly lost his footing while climbing a ladder and fell into the sewage water below. Baviskar, Adhave, and Lodhi then attempted to rescue him, but gases believed to be emanating from the sewage rendered the operation extremely difficult. All three reportedly lost consciousness during the rescue attempt.
An emergency call was made through the 112 helpline, reporting that four workers had become unconscious at the plant. The Ahmedabad Fire Brigade responded with safety equipment and launched a rescue operation. Fire officer Jadeja confirmed that 'all four workers had been located, and the search operation had been completed, with efforts initially continuing to retrieve the fourth worker.'
Living conditions at the site
Family members of the deceased and other workers reportedly stated that some labourers had erected makeshift huts and were living inside the plant premises — a detail that investigators are expected to examine as part of the broader inquiry into site safety standards.
Investigation under way
Sola police have initiated a formal investigation. Authorities are examining the circumstances leading to the deaths, the availability of safety equipment at the site, and the adequacy of emergency rescue arrangements. The hospital records classify the incident as a fall at the sewage treatment plant. This comes amid ongoing concerns about confined-space safety protocols and the use of personal protective equipment at industrial and civic infrastructure worksites across India. Regulatory scrutiny of STP contractor practices is likely to follow.
Point of View
Recurring pattern in India, where welding and maintenance workers routinely enter sewage pits and pump rooms without adequate gas-detection equipment or standby rescue personnel. The fact that three colleagues were overcome by the same fumes while attempting a rescue points to a systemic absence of confined-space entry protocols, not just individual negligence. The reported presence of makeshift huts inside the plant premises raises further questions about contractor accountability and municipal oversight of STP operations in Ahmedabad. Without naming the contractor, auditing safety compliance, and enforcing consequences, the next incident is a matter of time.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Ahmedabad sewage treatment plant on 26 October?
Four workers fell into a sewage pit at an STP in Ahmedabad's Sola area on 26 October, reportedly overcome by toxic gases. Two — Abhishek, 28, and Manohar Adhave, 40 — died, while Rupesh Ananda Baviskar and Neelesh Lodhi were hospitalised.
How did the accident occur?
Abhishek had entered the pumping unit to carry out welding work and reportedly lost his footing on a ladder, falling into the sewage water. Three colleagues — Baviskar, Adhave, and Lodhi — attempted to rescue him but reportedly lost consciousness due to gases believed to be emanating from the sewage.
Who rescued the workers from the sewage pit?
The Ahmedabad Fire Brigade responded to an emergency call on the 112 helpline and entered the site with safety equipment. Fire officer Jadeja confirmed all four workers were located and the search operation was completed.
What is the status of the investigation?
Sola police have initiated a formal investigation. Authorities are examining the circumstances of the deaths, the safety equipment available at the site, and the emergency rescue arrangements in place at the time of the accident.
Are confined-space accidents at sewage plants common in India?
Such incidents are unfortunately recurrent at civic infrastructure worksites across India, often attributed to the absence of gas-detection equipment, inadequate personal protective gear, and lack of trained standby rescue personnel for confined-space entries.
