The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has ordered an inquiry after two workers were feared drowned while carrying out work at a sewage treatment plant in the city. Rescue teams continued efforts to recover the workers as questions emerged over safety practices at the facility.
The incident occurred at the 90 MLD-capacity Bellandur Sewage Treatment Plant located at Belagere in Varthur. According to officials, three workers were engaged in work inside a 40-foot-deep sewage pumping wet well on Thursday evening when two of them allegedly slipped and fell into the structure.
The workers have been identified as Brijesh, a native of Bihar, and Akhilesh from Tamil Nadu, both in their 30s. A third worker was rescued and admitted to hospital, where his condition was reported to be stable.
Rescue operation faces challenges
Fire and Emergency Services personnel, along with specialised rescue teams, were deployed to the site. Officials said rescue efforts were complicated by the depth and size of the sewage well, as well as the hazardous conditions inside the structure.
According to reports, teams repeatedly entered the wet well using oxygen equipment in an attempt to locate the missing workers.
BWSSB orders inquiry
Following the incident, BWSSB constituted a three-member committee comprising senior officials to conduct a detailed investigation into the circumstances leading to the tragedy. The committee has been tasked with identifying the cause of the accident and fixing responsibility where necessary.
BWSSB Chairperson N. Manjula stated that preliminary information suggested the workers had entered the facility while attempting to repair a gate and were not engaged in manual sewage cleaning. However, labour activists have alleged that the incident raises concerns about worker safety and hazardous sanitation-related work practices.
Safety concerns under scrutiny
The incident has renewed debate over safety protocols at sewage treatment facilities and the protection of workers involved in sanitation-related operations.
Officials said the inquiry committee’s findings would help determine whether established safety procedures were followed and whether additional safeguards are required at BWSSB facilities.