Our Reporter
Dimapur, April 21 (EMN): While it is not uncommon for Dimapur to hit headlines over sanitation problem, especially during the monsoon, what caught the attention of the public in the aftermath of the recent heavy downpour was the working condition of the sanitation workers after they were spotted clearing clogged drains without safety equipment.
The images of Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) sanitation workers triggered concerns among the public about the possible health hazard such a working condition could cause, while some termed them as “unsung heroes”.
However, DMC sanitation inspector told Eastern Mirror that the working condition of the sanitation workers was ‘not like what it appeared’.
He said every sanitation worker is provided with gloves, masks, gumboots, personal protective equipment, and even the vehicle is covered with tarpaulin for hygienic reason.
“Even recently, we had distributed gumboots (to sanitation workers),” he said.
The sanitation inspector said that most of the time, the workers remove the kits after few minutes into work as they feel uncomfortable wearing them while working, possibly because of the humidity weather condition in Dimapur.
‘They wear them (safety kits) in our presence but remove them once they are on their own,’ he said.
Moreover, the sanitation team said that they are used to working without the kits, so it makes them uncomfortable working with them on.
The team also said that DMC had provided them with the safety kits but they choose not to use as they feel comfortably.
When reminded about health concern, they replied light-heartedly that they had become ‘immune’ working in such condition and that it didn’t bother them as comfort matters more especially during summer.
However, the sanitation team lamented lack of civic sense among the public, while pointing out that most of the drainages in the city are clogged because of poor waste management. They maintained if the public shows a little concern over keeping the city clean and consider public property as their own, it would make their job easier.
It may be mentioned that the DMC has been focusing on keeping the city clean over the years by introducing several programmes including beautification project, wherein unauthorised dumping sites are transformed into public spaces or recreational areas.