Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Bhopal Cleanliness Drive Highlights Safai Mitras’ Safety Concerns
Bhopal held a large city-cleaning event on Gandhi Jayanti.
It was called Seva Sankalp 2026 and included work in all 21 city zones.
Officials and local representatives joined the drive, and residents were invited to help.
The city also added an extra hour to the clean-up.
But some sanitation workers said their jobs are difficult and dusty.
They said road construction makes sweeping harder.
They also claimed that most workers do not have gloves, masks, or safety boots.
Some workers said their small children come with them and are exposed to the dust.
Bhopal Municipal Corporation held a city-wide cleanliness drive on Gandhi Jayanti under Seva Sankalp 2026.
Activities took place across all 21 zones, with special drives at 10 locations and about 50 employees deployed at each.
Mayor Malti Rai, BMC chairman Kishan Suryvanshi, elected representatives and officials participated; Commissioner Sanskriti Jain met Safai Mitras at Kilol Park.
Workers said Metro construction and AMRUT 2.0 roadworks leave them sweeping in heavy dust.
Safai Mitras claimed nearly 90% lack basic protective gear, and some workers said young children accompany them on dusty shifts.
- Who
- Bhopal Municipal Corporation, participating officials and residents, and Safai Mitras.
- What
- A city-wide cleanliness drive was held, while sanitation workers raised concerns about dust and missing protective equipment.
- When
- On Gandhi Jayanti.
- Where
- Across Bhopal’s 21 zones, including special drives at 10 locations; Commissioner Sanskriti Jain met workers at Kilol Park.
- Why
- The drive was conducted under Seva Sankalp 2026; workers raised concerns about difficult conditions linked to dust and a lack of safety gear.
Campaign presentation
Workers’ concerns
Cleanliness drive and working conditions
Campaign presentation
BMC organised a city-wide drive, deployed municipal employees, invited residents to participate and extended the clean-up by an hour.
Workers’ concerns
Safai Mitras told Free Press that construction-related dust makes sweeping difficult and that many lack basic protective equipment.
- Campaign
- Seva Sankalp 2026
- Organizer
- Bhopal Municipal Corporation
- Occasion
- Gandhi Jayanti
- Coverage
- Cleanliness programmes across all 21 zones, with special drives at 10 locations
- Staffing
- About 50 municipal employees at each special-drive location
- Protective gear claim
- Workers said nearly 90% of Safai Mitras lack gloves, masks and safety boots
- Reported work conditions
- Workers described heavy dust amid Metro construction and AMRUT 2.0 roadworks