National Workshop on ‘Mission Zero’ Focuses on Ending Deaths in Sanitation Work
Bhubaneswar, August 22: A national workshop on ‘Mission Zero: Ending Deaths in Sanitation Work’ was held at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, with a focus on eliminating deaths during sanitation operations across the country.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Secretary of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Sudhanshu Pant, Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg and senior officials from the Centre and state government attended the workshop. Representatives of urban local bodies, sanitation experts, technology providers, manufacturers, civil society organisations and sanitation workers also participated.
The workshop focused on strengthening institutional mechanisms, promoting appropriate technologies, ensuring operational preparedness and expanding mechanised sanitation services in cities to achieve the goal of zero deaths in sanitation work.
Addressing the workshop, Sudhanshu Pant said achieving zero fatalities in sanitation work is a major national priority under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision. He stressed the need for a coordinated government approach to ensure safe, organised and dignified sanitation services.
Pant said the NAMASTE and GARIMA schemes are promoting mechanisation and helping ensure occupational safety, health, education and livelihood opportunities for sanitation workers and their dependents. The sanitation workers and waste pickers component launched in 2024 has further strengthened the framework by bringing waste pickers within the ambit of social and economic empowerment initiatives.
The NAMASTE programme has been extended up to 2031 to ensure systematic sanitation service delivery through Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs), advance the Mission Zero agenda and expand welfare measures for sanitation workers and their families.
The workshop provided a platform for stakeholders to share experiences, showcase innovations and discuss practical solutions for safer sanitation operations. The Secretary also visited a safety equipment and machinery exhibition, where technologies and equipment designed to improve the safety and efficiency of sanitation workers were displayed.
The participation of various stakeholders highlighted the importance of coordinated action among governments, urban local bodies, technology providers and communities to eliminate hazardous manual sanitation practices.
The Mission Zero approach aims to transform sanitation work through mechanisation, institutional preparedness, worker safety, social security and livelihood support, paving the way for a sanitation system where no worker loses their life while performing sanitation duties.
