PMRDA drafts guidelines for mechanical scavenging of sewers

Following the death of three workers while manually scavenging septic tanks of a housing society in Wagholi on October 21, the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority has initiated the process of drafting guidelines for mechanised scavenging. The PMRDA fire brigade department officials said they have included some of the guidelines in the draft from standard operating procedures for cleaning of sewers and septic tanks issued by the Central Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. We have prepared a draft for advisory and also guidelines for a safer way to clean up septic tanks,” said PMRDA commissioner Rahul Mahiwal. He said, “We are in the process of drafting guidelines on the lines of those available with Pune Municipal Corporation and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation and will soon be available with the fire department, PMRDA.” Mahiwal urged societies to contact PMRDA officials to get details and list of authorised agencies to clean septic tanks and sewers. According to Devendra Potphode, chief fire officer, PMC and PMRDA, the planning authority has created draft guidelines and also issued an advisory which his department is to circulate and help get in touch with societies who need to clean septic tanks.