Two workers died after they entered a sewerage manhole for cleaning it near Shaikpet Nala on Friday evening. The deceased, identified as Balraj, 25, and Marappa, 40, contract workers, are residents of Chintal Basti. The two were engaged by Ghanshyam, a sewerage contractor.
The police said the duo died due gases from the drain. On Friday, all workers completed the work at other manholes without any problem. At Marutinagar, the duo got inside the manhole to clean it.
Balraj went into the manhole first after which there was no word from him. Ghanshyam then asked Marappa to go inside and find out. The contractor, waiting outside the manhole, anticipated danger to the lives of the workers and fled the spot. By the time any rescue measures could be taken up, Balraj and Marappa, had died.
BJP activists, led by Mr Chintala Ramachandra Reddy, and Congress leader Mr Vishnuvardhan Reddy visited the spot and organised a dharna, demanding ex-gratia to the families of the dead.
Mr Ashok Kumar, managing director, Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) said it was the contractor’s fault for not providing necessary equipment to the workers. Police booked a case against the contractor.