54 years after independence in India HUMAN BEINGS are required to dive into sewerage manholes full of filth and human excreta. The saftety precautions prescribed in Indian Standards Code of Practice framed by the Sewrage Authorities themselves and reiterated by the Maharashtra High Court are not being followed. Deaths due to asphyxiation etc of the men are frequent-8 in Chennai alone since March 2001.
The Chennai Water Supply & Sewerage Board had assured me in writing in August last(in response to my petition to the then Chief Minister) that only machines are used for sewerage maintenance.
I have been carrying on a campaign against this inhuman practice for nearly a decade.Failing to get any response from those in Authority last March my wife and myself petitioned the National Human Rights Commission. In November last I received a set of documents from NHRC for comments, which were sent promtly. Nothing furter has been heard from NHRC.
I am a lone individual. The suject needs to be pursued with NHRC and if required by PIL to the Supreme Court. Any lawyer or other Public spirited individual willing to help the campaign may please come forward.
Full details are available under the link "Horror" in my website
www.geocities.com/jniyer
I may be contacted by e-mail
 jniyer@vsnl.com