Mumbai: NHRC alert on four deaths in sewage treatment plant, notice sent to state government and police chief

The Mumbai sewage treatment plant's four deaths during maintenance have drawn the attention of the NHRC. The Maharashtra government and the state police chief have received a notice from the National Human Rights Commission. The Commission stated that it will be seeking a response starting on Saturday and will do so for four weeks.

According to the statement, the Commission has taken suo motu cognizance based on a media report which stated that four people were suffocated by toxic gases while cleaning a private sewage treatment plant in a residential township located in Mumbai's Virar area. , in which he died. There is an alleged allegation of violation of safety rules in the incident. The age of the deceased is about 20 years. According to the initial investigation, the deceased were residents of the Vasai area. The deceased had reached the sewage plant without any safety measures. The Commission said that if the media report is true then it is a violation of human rights.

In the statement, the Commission further said that negligence on the part of the contractor is visible in the matter. The victims were employed to work without safety measures in violation of prescribed norms and NHRC advisory. It is the responsibility of the government to spread awareness among the people that such work should not be done without safety equipment. Notices have been issued to the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra and the Director General of Police and a detailed report has been sought from them.