3 workers suffocate at MBMC sewage plant

Mumbai: Three workers suffocated to death after inhaling toxic fumes inside the underground chamber tank at the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation’s (MBMC) sewage treatment plant in Mira Road on Wednesday.

The tragic deaths have yet again exposed the utter disregard shown by the civic administration and private agencies towards the safety of its conservancy workforce. The incident was reported from MBMC’s STP located near Prem Nagar at around 2 pm.

The deceased were identified as - Muzaffar Mohalik (24), Rafique Mandal (50) and Mafizzul (19) all residents of Indralok in Bhayandar. They were hired by the private agency deployed by the MBMC to execute the underground sewage work and operate 10 pumping stations supported by an equal number of STP’s in the twin-city.

According to the officials, two workers had apparently entered the tank to operate a valve, which separates sludge from sewage in the underground chamber, and when they didn’t come out, the other two had stepped inside to check.

While one of their colleagues was fortunate to escape out of the chamber in time, the trio died on the spot due to asphyxiation. Fire brigade personnel pulled out the bodies of all three.

“I have asked the police to book those responsible for causing death due to negligence,” said municipal commissioner — Balaji Khatgaonkar. It has been alleged that workers were not wearing any safety masks or protective gear. “The workers were neither skilled nor did they had any kind of experience for such a delicate job. Moreover complaints in context to smell emanating from the plant had gone to deaf ears of the civic administration which is equally responsible for the deaths,” alleged leader of opposition- Raju Bhoir.

While an accidental death case has been registered at the Kashimira police station, investigations was on to ascertain any type of negligence which triggered the incident, police said.