Faridabad Sector 25 worker dies during sewer cleaning; colleague hospitalised

Mohammad Aslam, 35, died after entering a sewer manhole while cleaning a sewer line in Faridabad’s Sector 25 on Monday, police said. Another worker, Bunty Kumar, 30, was admitted to a private hospital in Faridabad and was reported to be in a serious but stable condition.

Police said an automobile spare-parts manufacturing firm had engaged three workers to clean the manhole and sewer line outside Plot No. 132. According to police, Aslam entered the manhole first and collapsed inside. Investigators are examining whether a build-up of gases in the sewer contributed to his death.

Kumar entered with a rope tied around him in an attempt to bring Aslam out, police said, but he also lost consciousness. A third worker who remained outside raised an alarm.

Factory guards and workers pulled Kumar out before police and fire personnel arrived, police said. Firefighters used exhaust fans to ventilate the manhole before entering with protective equipment and recovering Aslam. He was declared dead on arrival at Badshah Khan Civil Hospital.

Police said they are investigating whether the workers had been given adequate training and protective equipment. On a complaint by Aslam’s sister, Sector 58 police registered an FIR against the factory owner under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to causing death by negligence.