In Jaipur, the Rajasthan High Court has sought a response from the state government on whether robotic technology can be deployed for sewer cleaning operations following the death of two workers in Jhotwara. A division bench comprising Justice P.S. Bhati and Justice Vineet Kumar Mathur issued the direction while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Snehansh Foundation.
During the hearing, Corporation Commissioner Om Kasera, Jhotwara Zone Deputy Commissioner Manisha Yadav, other officials, and the concerned contractor appeared before the court in compliance with earlier orders. The state government informed the bench that the contractor’s agreement had been terminated. It also stated that the families of the deceased workers would receive ₹15 lakh in compensation, contractual employment, and dairy booths for rehabilitation.
The court observed that several places across the country are already using robotic technology for sewer cleaning and directed the government to clarify why such measures cannot be implemented in Rajasthan as well.
Advocate Pahal Saxena argued that the provisions of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 are being ignored in the state. He submitted that despite legal provisions mandating machine-based cleaning, manual scavenging and unsafe sewer cleaning practices continue in cities like Jaipur and Jodhpur.
The petition referred to the April 17 incident in which two workers died of suffocation after being sent into a sewer chamber for cleaning. The plea alleged that the work was carried out under the supervision of municipal officials, making them accountable for the tragedy.
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