2 workers die cleaning STP tank at west Delhi hospital

Two daily wage workers died at a private hospital in west Delhi's Paschim Vihar on Tuesday evening, allegedly after inhaling toxic fumes while cleaning a sewage treatment plant (STP) tank on the hospital premises, police said on Wednesday.

- Karn Pratap Singh and Varun Bhandari

The deceased — Brijesh, 26, and Vikram, 38, both from Uttar Pradesh’s Hardoi district — were employed by a private firm that had the annual maintenance contract (AMC) for the STP at Sri Balaji Action Hospital, according to the police.

Senior officers said the labourers were provided only blue disposable masks and no other protective or lifesaving equipment. The incident occurred around 6.30pm on Tuesday.

A case under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for death by negligence, and Section 9 of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, has been registered at Paschim Vihar East police station.

Deputy commissioner of police (outer) Sachin Sharma said action was taken following the medico-legal reports from the hospital. “The workers were declared dead by the attending doctor. Initial investigation revealed that both had lost consciousness while engaged in the maintenance of a carbon filter. The work was being undertaken by the AMC contractor,” Sharma said.