Sewer deaths in Mohali: National Safai Karamchari Commission presses for early action

Gaurav Kanthwal

Tribune News Service

Mohali, July 27

Ten days after the death of two persons inside a sewer near HLP Galleria in Phase 8 here, the police have not been able to identify the people responsible for the negligence due to which the precious lives were lost.

Anjana Pawar, member of the National Safai Karamchari Commission, met the district administration officials and Safai Sewak Union representatives here today to make a headway in the case.

Pawar said the main aim of the commission’s visit to Mohali was to meet the officials concerned and press for early identification of people responsible for the negligence.

“What is there to probe? It is obvious… who is the person responsible for it? It has been 15 days but no one has been named in the case. This way, it can take 15 years also. The commission has come here to get it done (fix the accountability) and we will not leave till it is done,” she said.

On July 18, Harpal Singh, a resident of Phase 11, had died due to gaseous buildup inside a 10-foot-deep sewer line on the slip road near HLP Galleria in Phase 8.

Gagan Rai (26), a labourer from Saharsa, Bihar, volunteered to rescue the trapped worker, but he too fell into the sewer and died.

Harpal, was a contractual worker in the Department of Water Supply and Sanitation, Mohali.

The 52-year-old was living in a rented accommodation in Phase 11 and was the sole earning member of his family with three children, aged 19, 15 and 9.

Construction labourer Gagan Rai, who acted as a Good Samaritan, lived in the tin sheds close to the spot. He also was the sole earning member of his family. Rai is survived by his wife and two kids.

Better facilities sought

Anjana Pawar, member of the National Safai Karamchari Commission, met district officials and Safai Sewak Union representatives on Tuesday to assess the situation faced by the safai sewaks on ground. Pawar said the word “sewerman” should be abolished and stressed on providing better and healthy atmosphere to safai sewaks.