Archive · 13 Nov 2025
Two Dead After Cleaning STP Tank in Powai; Manual Cleaning Practices Questioned
Imagine workers had to go inside a big tank that cleans yucky water.
While cleaning the bottom of this tank, the air inside became very dangerous because of bad gases, making it hard to breathe.
Two men, Akshay and his uncle Sudam, started feeling sick.
Their boss, Phulchand, bravely went in to help rescue them.
He managed to get Sudam out, but then he also felt sick inside the tank.
Sadly, Akshay and Phulchand couldn't be saved and passed away.
The police are looking into why this happened and if safety rules were followed.
This sad event raises questions about why people still have to clean these tanks by hand, even though there are machines that could do the job more safely.
Two individuals, including a contractor, died after entering a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) tank in Powai, Mumbai, due to inhaling toxic gases.
The incident occurred on Wednesday morning at the Raj Grand Doi building's STP while the workers were cleaning the tank.
The deceased have been identified as laborers Akshay Mandal and Phulchand Kumar Sahu, with Akshay's uncle Sudam Mandal being rescued and injured.
Mumbai Police have filed an accidental death report and are investigating the company's adherence to safety protocols, stating it is not manual scavenging.
The incident has reignited concerns about manual cleaning practices of tanks in Mumbai, with worker unions questioning the sufficiency and accessibility of safety machinery.
- Who
- Two laborers (Akshay Mandal, Sudam Mandal) and their contractor (Phulchand Kumar Sahu) from Ultra Tech Pvt Ltd
- What
- One worker died instantly, and the contractor later died due to suffocation from toxic gases while cleaning an STP tank. Another worker was rescued but injured.
- When
- Wednesday, around 10:42 AM
- Where
- Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Raj Grand Doi building, Powai, Mumbai
- Why
- Inhalation of toxic gases and lack of oxygen within the STP tank during cleaning operations.
Official Stance
Worker & Union Concerns
Prevalence of Manual Scavenging
Official Stance
Mumbai Police and BMC officials state the incident does not fall under manual scavenging as defined by law, and that the city records 'NIL' cases of manual scavenging.
Worker & Union Concerns
Worker unions and conservancy workers point out that despite official claims, manual cleaning of tanks continues, especially in slum areas where employing machinery is unaffordable. They cite previous deaths attributed to manual scavenging practices.
Availability of Cleaning Machinery
Official Stance
BMC claims to have sufficient machinery like desludging machines, cesspool vehicles, and cleaning machines to cater to the city's sewer network.
Worker & Union Concerns
Workers and unions argue that the number of available machines is insufficient for a city like Mumbai, and the procurement process for BMC machinery is too expensive and complicated, particularly for those in informal settlements.
- Location
- Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Raj Grand Doi building, Powai, Mumbai
- Date of Incident
- Wednesday
- Time of Incident
- Around 10:42 AM
- Contracting Company
- Ultra Tech Pvt Ltd
- Deceased
- Phulchand Kumar Sahu (28) and Akshay Mandal (25)
- Cause of Death
- Suffocation due to inhalation of toxic gases and lack of oxygen in the STP tank
- Police Action
- Accidental Death Report filed; investigation into precautionary measures ongoing
