In 2017, Jaspal Singh and the others undertook the contract to clean private property tank in Ghitorni, South Delhi.
They were told it was a rainwater harvesting tank, in an interview he recalled those horrific momemts – “My father spoke to the farmhouse owner in Ghitorni. He was told there was no danger. When the first man went in, he fainted within minutes. The second went in to save him, and then the third. I called my father in panic. He came rushing, tied a rope around his waist and went into the pit. He too fainted almost immediately. Finally, it was my turn. I think by then some bystander had figured out we were in trouble and called the police as soon as I fainted. Everything went black after that. I woke up an hour later, being rushed to the hospital. I was told my father and cousin, along with two men from the neighbourhood who entered the tank before me, were dead”.
Jaspal was the lone survivor of the tragic event.
The Delhi government in 2019 flagged off a fleet of 200 sewer-cleaning machines, with the aim of eradicating manual scavenging in the Capital. In tenders, each machine carrying vehicle was to be contracted to a unique contractor, Delhi Govt gave the first preference to families that lost their members to manual scavenging, and then for sanitation workers and members from the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities, with the contracts running for seven years.
The entire project was aimed not only on ending the evil of manual scavenging but also ensuring that the victims are empowered.
Jaspal and his mother Gurmeet recollected that they too were sceptical when they were asked to enroll for a scheme of Delhi Govt and how the assurance from the Chief Minister instilled belief in their hearts – “Men came to us and said we would get a machine that would provide a steady income. We thought this might just be another promise but because these were the people who had helped us out since the beginning, we took some interest. But it was only in February, when the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal ji called us all for an event at a big stadium, that we believed it. When the CM said it in public, I knew something would happen for sure.”
Jaspal and his mother Gurmeet Kaur
On February 28th 2019, CM Arvind Kejriwal addressed the beneficiaries – “It is a historic day for Delhi to start this initiative and ensuring safety and dignity of human life. These machines will put an end to the practice of sanitation workers entering manholes and septic tanks for cleaning“.
At present there are 400 mechanised sewer cleaning machines of different sizes, with 200 additional machines added in July 2022. Manual scavenging is completely banned in Delhi and DJB does not engage any person for such work but private property remains unregulated and largely unchecked.
When there’s emergency during monsoons DJB does feel the need for more machines, otherwise the present number of machines are enough to meet the normal requirements.
How do they work?
The Machines placed on CNG-run Trucks have been fitted with necessary equipment ensuring hydraulic, jetting, grabbing and roding work. It can clean the manholes of 30 feet deep and can also clean the sewerage and bring the silt, slug and other waste out to a trolley. There are different tools for each purpose and they are powered by the battery on the truck bed. Since the new vehicles are smaller, it is easier to navigate through narrow roads. They also have a 1,500-litre water-holding capacity.
Step 1 – Jetting is the use of an imported pipe and a conical nozzle that uses water pressure to clear choked sewer lines.
Step 2 – Grabbing is an automatic hydraulic system that makes use of a jaw-like tool attached to the metal wire, the grabber goes into the tank or sewer line and grabs any dry garbage that might be blocking the line. They mostly find plastic waste and leaves.
Step 3 – Rodding is used to cut jute and polythene using steel rods. Normally, when sewers are cleaned, the silt is removed and kept outside the manhole. Workers no longer have to manually move the removed waste as there are is a dustbin attached to the machine which allows them to collect waste and throw it to a distance.
Step 4 – If the sewer is too deep for these machines, DJB is informed and they send in their Super Sucker Machines which are the size of a 10-12 wheel trucks, but they cannot enter the narrow lanes.
And Rule No.1 in training of all the New DJB employees – “Whatever may be the problem, Never get into the drains and pits.” Each vehicle is assigned with three DJB employees – a trained driver and two helpers. So far, 1,200 workers have been trained by DJB, three workers assigned to each of the 400 machines. Most of these employees come from communities who have been employed in manual scavenging since many centuries. Now they operate machines and are equipped with masks, shoes and gloves.
Ankush Balguher, a driver/operator of one of the machines, highlighted the importance of job security and proper safety measures : “If you notice, most of the employees are from SC/ST Community. There is no discrimination as such but we can’t change the mentality of people. What’s important for us is that we have got a job and we do it properly. We have masks, shoes, gloves and first aid facilities for our safety. We feel like employees who deserve some rights.”
Obstacles
Ofcourse. When AAP Govt comes up with a new project, there has to be obstacles. Tender notices for the scheme were placed on newspaper. But most of the audience Government was targeting were illiterate, so Delhi Govt had to contact various groups who represent scheduled tribes and scheduled castes, for the initiative to reach them.
Organisations like Metro Waste which had the responsibility of collecting waste before these machines filed multiple cases against the New Scheme. They were aggrieved as they lost their contracts. They said that once we get the contract we will hire workers of SC/ST community, They accused Delhi Govt of giving almost 100 per cent reservation and called it unethical. Delhi Jal Board Officials had to go to court on a regular basis from March till May, and their day-to-day work was hampered.
The case was heard on a daily basis by Justices S Ravindra Bhat and AK Chawla. Court questioned project’s financial viability, asking what would happen if the large loan amount became unbearable for the contractors, and if they began committing suicide. Delhi Government’s Jal Board assured the court that in case of extreme situations like a major accident or death, the loan will be paid by the Government.
The court gave a favourable judgment to the Delhi Govt, quoting Ambedkar’s observation during the inauguration of the Constitution about the contradiction between political equality and social and economic inequality : “…we are going to enter into a life of contradictions. In politics, we will have equality and in social and economic life we will have inequality. In politics, we will be recognising the principle of one man one vote and one vote one value. In our social and economic life, we shall, by reason of our social and economic structure, continue to deny the principle of one man one value.”
Finances involved in the Scheme.
Each machine costs Rs 40 lakh. Those who win tenders to own and operate them, Delhi government has been providing financial assistance of up to ₹5 lakh each to the 400 Beneficiaries/Contractors. The rest of the amount will be loaned to them by the State Bank of India at an interest rate of 11.1%, to be repaid in five years.
The rate for the machine’s running has been fixed at Rs 17.35 per metre and the machine can run up to 500 m a day, ensuring that its monthly earning is between Rs 2,25,000 and Rs 2,50,000. After deductions – Monthly Loan instalment of Rs 80,000, the salaries of three workers Rs 50,000, CNG Rs 10,000, Maintenance charges, taxes, 5% cut to Smart Green and 5% towards a security deposit to Delhi Jal Board – owners usually get Rs 40,000 – Rs 45,000 every month for five years till the deduction of the loan amount.
As the contract is for 7 years, the family running the machine can meet the daily target of cleaning up 200 metres of sewer lines, it can earn upto Rs 1 lakh – Rs 1.5 lakh after fulfilling loan obligations for 5 years, they will also completely own the machine by then. They can choose to continue to operate along with Delhi Govt or start their own Buisness Model. AAP led Delhi Govt has successfully made the Victims -Entrepreneurs and Stakeholders through its Initiative.