MCG conducts safety training for sewer and drain cleaning staff in Gurugram

The session included hands-on exercises to familiarise staff with standard safety procedures before entering confined spaces.

Published on: Jan 31, 2026, 04:54:12 IST

By Leena Dhankhar

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The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) on Friday organised a training programme for sanitation workers to demonstrate correct use of safety equipment for safe sewer and drain cleaning practices under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation (PEMSRA) Act 2013, officials said.

The programme was held under the Namaste Scheme and the Safai Mitra Suraksha Challenge (HT)

According to officials, workers were trained in using gas detectors, safety harnesses, oxygen support systems, helmets, gloves and other protective gear. The session included hands-on exercises to familiarise staff with standard safety procedures before entering confined spaces.

The programme was held under the Namaste Scheme and the Safai Mitra Suraksha Challenge and in collaboration with safety expert Gaurav Kalia from Prakash Consultancy.

Chief engineer Vijay Dhaka, who inaugurated the training, highlighted the importance of following safety measures, precautions and standard operating procedures (SOPs) during sewer cleaning operations. He urged sanitation workers to take the training seriously and ensure mandatory use of protective equipment while working in the field.

Dhaka added that all sanitation workers employed by the corporation would undergo similar training in monthly batches as part of a phased capacity-building exercise.

MCG commissioner Pradeep Dahiya said, “Under the PEMSRA Act and the SOPs issued by the ministry of housing and urban affairs and the Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation (CPHEEO), the civic body is mandated to ensure strict compliance with safety protocols, and manual scavenging as well as entry into sewers without protective equipment are strictly prohibited.”

Rakesh Valmiki, a representative of sanitation workers in the city, welcomed the initiative and urged workers to strictly follow safety standards during duty to prevent accidents.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leena Dhankhar
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest. Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents. Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure. Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing. Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity. Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations. Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling. A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.Read More

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