National Workshop on Mission Zero to End Fatalities in Sanitation Work

What happened: National Workshop on Mission Zero in Bhubaneswar

The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment organised a National Workshop on “Mission Zero: Ending Fatalities in Sanitation Work” at the State Convention Centre, Lokseva Bhawan, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The workshop was addressed by senior national and state officials and brought together Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), sanitation-sector experts, manufacturers, technology providers, civil society organisations, and sanitation workers to deliberate on building a safe, dignified, technology-driven sanitation ecosystem.

Workshop focus: mechanisation, preparedness, and zero fatalities

The workshop set out four action directions: strengthening institutional mechanisms; promoting appropriate technologies; ensuring operational preparedness; and scaling up mechanised sanitation services across cities in India. The stated overarching objective was achieving zero fatalities in sanitation work through safer systems and work practices.

Key government schemes and worker welfare links discussed

In the workshop address, Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri Sudhansh Pant stated that achieving zero fatalities is a core national priority under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision. He emphasised a whole-of-government approach for sanitation services that are delivered safely, systematically, and with dignity. Pant highlighted NAMASTE and GARIMA as schemes meant to promote mechanisation and ensure occupational safety, health, education, and livelihood opportunities for sanitation workers and their dependents.