Worker dies cleaning a sewage in North-West Delhi

A 29-year-old sewer worker drowned and died while cleaning a sewer in North-West Delhi’s Jahangirpuri area on Sunday morning.

According to the police, the deceased has been identified as Dooman Ray (32), a resident of Bihar. The police received an information from Max hospital in Shalimar Bagh that Ray was declared dead on arrival from Delhi Jal Board Pump House, G Block, Jahangirpuri.

“It was revealed that he was working in sewerage there with three other workers and died due to drowning. Delhi Jal Board has given a contract to KK Spun India Ltd for repair and rehabilitation of sewerage in Jahangirpuri,” said AK Lal, Additional DCP North-West.

The incident occurred at 5.30am when the deceased went down the sewerage hole to open the valve and instead drowned and died. The sewer was 30-foot-deep and suddenly someone opened the water valve which led to his drowning.

Other workers who were along with him revealed there was no protective gear or oxygen kit. It took some time to bring his body out of the sewer. A case under relevant sections including The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act has been registered. Police are now on the lookout for their contractor Ajay Daggy who is on the run.