Maharashtra Pioneers Safer Sanitation with 'Manhole to Machinehole' Initiative

The Maharashtra government is making strides in ensuring safer sanitation practices by cutting down the service duration requirement for sanitation workers from 25 to 20 years. This move is a part of the government's ambitious 'Manhole to Machinehole' programme, which seeks to mechanise sewer and septic tank cleaning.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, in a recent meeting, urged the Urban Development Department to implement changes to the service criterion. The programme will allocate Rs 504 crore towards purchasing modern sanitation tools to minimize human involvement.

The initiative mandates municipal bodies to comply with these guidelines strictly, with non-compliance leading to repercussions. Moreover, the government has promised free housing to sanitation workers post-retirement under the Babasaheb Ambedkar Shram Safalya Awas Yojana.

(With inputs from agencies.)