Date:19/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/19/stories/2008041960390600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Two labourers die while cleaning drainage line

Staff Reporter

They fell unconscious after inhaling poisonous gases

HYDERABAD: Two labourers died after entering a drainage pipeline to clean it at Maruthinagar in Golconda police station area on Friday.

The police said the labourers fell unconscious after inhaling the poisonous gases that emanated in the pipeline and later drowned in the drainage water.

A contractor of the Water Works Department engaged Balaraju, 25, and Mareppa, 40, to clean the drainage in the evening.

Contractor flees

Around 5 p.m., first Balaraju stepped into the pipeline. As he did not come out and respond to repeated calls Mareppa too went inside the drainage line. But he too failed to come out.

Sensing danger, the contractor fled the spot.

Police alerted

Local people alerted the police who later retrieved the bodies.

The Water Works Department higher-ups visited the spot and felt that the contractors should not have allowed the labourers to enter the drainage pipe without proper protective gear.