In a stern reminder that human lives cannot be put at risk for civic convenience, the Gujarat High Court has expressed deep concern over yet another instance of deaths due to manual sewer cleaning, even after several directives aimed at ending the practice. The bench led by Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice D.N. Ray on Thursday (October 16, 2025) sought a detailed compliance report from the State on mechanized cleaning operations under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The case stems from a long-pending Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Manav Garima, a social organization advocating for the rights and dignity of sanitation workers.
Background
Back in April 2025, the Urban Housing and Urban Development Department of Gujarat had issued a circular mandating all municipal bodies to adopt mechanized sewer cleaning systems. The Gujarat Urban Development Mission (GUDM) was made the nodal agency under the PPP model to oversee the transition.
A Request for Proposal (RFP) was floated for hiring of vehicle-mounted suction cum jetting machines with sewage water recycling facilities for cleaning drains across 150 municipalities. In November 2022, GUDM signed an agreement with Metro Waste Handling Pvt. Ltd. for the procurement and operation of these machines.
So far, 17 such sewer cleaning vehicles and 10 manhole-cleaning robots have been procured and distributed to major cities including Amreli, Anand, Bharuch, Bhuj, and Surendranagar. Additional procurement of 209 machines is underway, expected to be completed by March–April 2026.
Court's Observations
Justice D.N. Ray, delivering the oral order, noted that while the process on paper appears satisfactory, ground-level compliance remains worrisome. The bench was informed that despite these mechanisms, incidents of manual scavenging continue including a recent tragedy where two sanitation workers reportedly died during manual cleaning of a manhole on September 9, 2025.
The bench observed, "Even after orders of this Court, deaths are still being reported. This is unacceptable and needs immediate accountability," remarked Justice Ray, his tone reflective of both frustration and urgency.
The court directed petitioner’s counsel, Mr. Subramaniam Iyer, to submit further details about the incident to identify those responsible. Negligence cannot go unpunished, he asserted during the hearing.
The Advocate General, Mr. Kamal Trivedi, meanwhile, assured the court that the government was acting with urgency. He pointed to the October 13 letter from the Gujarat Urban Development Corporation (GUDC), confirming fresh work orders for additional machines.
However, the bench noted that clarity was still lacking about how effectively the PPP model was being implemented and how the Gujarat Urban Development Mission (GUDM) was monitoring compliance.
"The mechanism must not only exist on paper but must function in the field," the judges remarked.
The Court's Direction
The High Court ordered the Commissioner of Municipalities to file a detailed affidavit outlining the progress of mechanization and the role of each municipal body in ensuring compliance with the April 2025 circular. The affidavit must also include timelines for completing the mechanization process across all 150 municipalities.
The bench further required the Commissioner to work out the current and future requirements for equipment and personnel, and to submit a timeline to make every local body compliant.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on November 28, 2025, when the court will review the next progress report.
With its closing remark, the bench reinforced its intent clearly - "No more lives should be lost to negligence or outdated practices."
Case Title: Manav Garima vs State of Gujarat & Ors.
