India’s sanitation system depends on workers who clean drains, sewers and septic tanks.
But the job often puts their lives at risk.
Government data shows that 482 sanitation workers died while cleaning sewers and septic tanks between 2019 and 2025, highlighting that hazardous sanitation work continues despite laws banning manual scavenging and efforts to mechanise sewer cleaning.
Despite laws against manual scavenging and efforts to promote mechanised sanitation, why do workers still continue to enter these dangerous spaces?
How Many People Died During Sewer Cleaning?
Data shared by the government during the Lok Sabha session showed hundreds of deaths during sewer and septic tank cleaning.
The recorded deaths included:
2019: 132 deaths
2020: 34 deaths
2021: 62 deaths
2022: 88 deaths
2023: 65 deaths
2024: 54 deaths
2025: 47 deaths
These figures accounted for 381 deaths between 2019 and 2023.
With updated figures, the total number of deaths during sewer and septic tank cleaning has reached nearly 500 since 2019.
The numbers show that hazardous sanitation work remains a major safety concern.
Why Do People Die While Cleaning Sewers?
Sewer and septic tank cleaning becomes dangerous because workers enter confined spaces where toxic gases can build up.
These spaces may contain gases such as hydrogen sulphide and methane, which can reduce oxygen levels and cause workers to lose consciousness.
Without proper safety equipment, gas detection devices, ventilation and trained support teams, entering these areas can become fatal.
In some incidents, workers attempting to rescue colleagues have also died after entering the same unsafe spaces.
Manual Scavenging Is Banned In India
India banned manual scavenging through the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013. The law also prohibits hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks without prescribed safety measures.
However, deaths during sewer and septic tank cleaning continue to be reported.
This has raised questions about the implementation of safety rules and whether sanitation workers have access to safer alternatives.
Why Are Sewer Deaths Not Counted As Manual Scavenging Deaths?
The classification of these deaths has become a major point of discussion.
The Centre has stated that no deaths due to manual scavenging, as legally defined under the Act, have been reported.
At the same time, the government records deaths that occur while workers clean sewers and septic tanks.
Sanitation rights groups have questioned this distinction, arguing that workers entering sewers for cleaning continue to face the dangers associated with unsafe sanitation practices.
What Has The Government Said About Sewer Deaths?
The government has said it is working to reduce human entry into sewers through mechanised cleaning.
It has introduced initiatives such as the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme, which aims to improve safety for sanitation workers and encourage the use of machines instead of manual entry.
The government has also focused on providing protective equipment, training and safer sanitation systems.
However, continued deaths show that challenges remain in ensuring these measures reach workers across the country.
Why Sewer Deaths Remain A Safety Challenge
Sanitation workers perform essential work that keeps cities functioning, but many continue to face dangerous conditions.
The issue is not only about banning unsafe practices. It is also about ensuring that workers have access to machines, safety gear and proper training.
The continuing sewer deaths have brought attention to a key question: how can India ensure that no worker has to risk their life while doing essential sanitation work?
TL;DR | News At Glance
What happened?
Nearly 500 people have died while cleaning sewers and septic tanks since 2019, according to government data.
Why are these deaths happening?
Workers face toxic gases, oxygen shortages and unsafe conditions inside confined spaces.
What does the government say?
The Centre says no deaths have been reported due to manual scavenging and is promoting mechanised cleaning through schemes like NAMASTE.
Why is this still a concern?
The deaths highlight gaps in safety implementation and the challenge of protecting sanitation workers.
