BWSSB Orders Strict Safety Protocols After Varthur Sewage Plant Accident

On Monday, June 29, 2026, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) chairperson Manjula N. directed employees to strictly adhere to safety protocols during a health and safety workshop at Cauvery Bhavan, following a recent accident at the Varthur sewage treatment plant where two workers are feared dead.

The directive comes in the wake of a major accident at the Varthur facility, where three workers allegedly fell into a 40-foot-deep BWSSB sewage treatment tank. Following the incident, two of the workers are feared to have died.

Speaking after inaugurating the health and safety workshop on Monday, Ms. Manjula emphasized that employee safety must remain the highest priority for the utility provider. She urged all staff members working at various sewage treatment plants across the city to exercise maximum caution and consistently follow all prescribed precautionary measures to prevent future accidents.

The workshop was organized by the BWSSB to strengthen awareness of health and safety practices among its workforce. The program focused on reinforcing the importance of adopting preventive measures during daily operations and maintenance tasks at sewage treatment facilities.

According to Ms. Manjula, the initiative was designed to ensure that no further untoward incidents occur while employees carry out routine maintenance and operational work at the plants.

During the workshop sessions, the chairperson also encouraged the participating employees to actively engage in discussions. She urged them to openly share any operational challenges or safety concerns they regularly encounter while working in the field.

Ms. Manjula stated that such interactions and feedback from ground-level workers would help the BWSSB identify practical solutions. This collaborative approach is intended to help the board improve overall workplace safety standards across all of its sewage treatment facilities in the city.