A manual scavenger died due to asphyxiation while attempting to rescue a co-worker trapped inside a sewage pipeline in Mogappair East on Wednesday.
After alerted by the locals, the Fire and Rescue Service personnel pulled out the the body of A. Doss (30), who had died due to asphyxiation. They rescued Ramachandran (40), who is being treated at Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital.
According to the police, Chennai Metrowater was involved in extending the sewage pipeline on Ori Street in Mogappair and the work was undertaken by a contractor from Namakkal.
It was Ramachandran who first went through the manhole into the sewage line to insert a cap to ensure that sewage did not flow into the new pit.
At around 4 p.m, while he was inside, he complained of suffocation to Doss, who was standing above the manhole. Immediately, Doss jumped in to rescue him. But both could not come out.
The other workers on the site alerted police and Fire and Rescue Service personnel who rushed to the spot and rescued Ramachandran, who was semi-conscious.
“Immediately after receiving the call, we rushed to the spot and our men entered the manhole using a rope. We found a dead body floating on sewage and managed to retrieve it,” said S. Rajendran, Fire officer of J.J. Nagar. Ramachandran, the survivor, was sent to Government Kilpauk Hospital for treatment.
A case under Section 304-A (rash and negligent act resulting in death) of Indian Penal Code was registered against the contractor who engaged the workers, said J.J. Nagar Police Inspector Murugesan.
“The authorities have prohibited manual scavenging and are using machines to repair or remove any sewage block. The Madras High Court has issued clear and specific guidelines. Before undertaking any sewage-related works, first the sewage should be removed and tests should be conducted to find out if there is poisonous gas,” said activist Paadam A. Narayanan. “It is a lapse on the part of authorities or contractors if they allowed the workers without any supervison,” he charged.
