Sanitation worker dies in manhole

Vijayawada: A sanitation worker died of suffocation after venturing into a manhole at H block of Vambay Colony on Tuesday. Though four workers went to attend the cleaning work, one of them Gunja Gangaraju, 37, ventured into it and died of suffocation. The remaining four workers were shocked over the incident and immediately stopped the work and left the area. 

Locals alleged that the worker died due to negligence of the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation and private contractor who did not provide a safety gear to the workers, who work in hazardous conditions.

These workers were engaged to clear the clogs and remove the sewage at Vambay Colony.  The State Disaster Response Force and NDRF teams swung into action to retrieve the body from the accident site at Vambay Colony.

Though the incident took place around 3.30 pm, the locals noticed it about 5 pm and informed the Nunna police. On receiving information, police and SDRF teams rushed to the spot to retrieve the body of the worker.

Since the manhole was located at the dumping yard, the staff is facing difficulties to reach the spot with the JCBs. The deceased is survived by wife and three children.

VMC Commissioner J Nivas said that the worker accidentally fell into the manhole and died. CPM state leader Chigurupati Babu Rao alleged that the corporation is not taking safety measures to protect the lives of the sanitation workers.  

Leaders of employees unions and Central MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao reached the spot and enquired about the death. The corporation is facing criticism for not taking measures to provide safety equipment to the workers who work in hazardous conditions.