Bhubaneswar, August 22: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has called for a collective commitment to ensure that no sanitation worker loses their life while performing hazardous duties, stressing the importance of safety, dignity and social security for workers engaged in sanitation services.

Addressing the second national GARIMA workshop, held on the theme “Mission Zero – Ending Fatalities in Sanitation Work,” in Bhubaneswar, the Chief Minister said sanitation workers play an indispensable role in maintaining public health and cleanliness and deserve a safe and dignified working environment.

The workshop brought together government officials, representatives of Urban Local Bodies, sanitation experts, civil society organisations, technology providers and other stakeholders to discuss measures aimed at eliminating fatalities during sanitation operations.

Majhi said the objective of Mission Zero should not be limited to providing assistance after accidents occur. Instead, the focus must be on preventing accidents altogether by eliminating hazardous manual practices and adopting safer, technology-driven methods.

Emphasising the growing role of modern technology, the Chief Minister said innovations in artificial intelligence, robotics, cameras, drones and mechanised sanitation equipment can significantly reduce the risks faced by sanitation workers. He stressed that technology should be used to ensure that workers are not required to enter hazardous spaces and that dangerous sanitation activities are carried out through machines wherever possible.

As part of the state’s efforts to create greater awareness about sanitation workers’ rights and welfare, Majhi announced that the fourth Saturday of August will be observed annually as GARIMA Diwas in Odisha. The initiative will focus on highlighting the contribution of sanitation workers and promoting their safety, dignity and social protection.

The programme also highlighted Odisha’s GARIMA initiative, which seeks to improve the working and living conditions of core sanitation workers. The programme includes measures related to occupational safety, protective equipment, insurance, healthcare and other welfare benefits.

During the event, the Chief Minister handed over ₹10 lakh in insurance assistance to the wife of sanitation worker Pratap Dalai. Housing-related work orders were also distributed to sanitation workers as part of the government’s welfare measures.

Majhi also visited an exhibition showcasing modern sanitation machinery, safety equipment and technology-based solutions designed to reduce human involvement in hazardous sanitation activities.

Officials participating in the workshop stressed the importance of strengthening coordination between government departments and Urban Local Bodies. They also discussed the need for proper training, emergency preparedness, regular safety audits and wider adoption of mechanised sanitation systems.

The workshop further highlighted the role of the Centre’s NAMASTE scheme, which seeks to promote the safety and dignity of sanitation workers through mechanisation and occupational-safety measures.

Chief Secretary Anu Garg and other senior officials reiterated Odisha’s commitment to achieving zero fatalities in sanitation work.

The Mission Zero initiative marks a broader shift in the approach to sanitation-worker welfare—from responding to accidents after they occur to preventing hazardous situations altogether. With greater use of technology, stronger safety systems and improved social protection, the state aims to build a sanitation system where workers can perform their duties without risking their lives.

The message from the workshop was clear: clean cities must never come at the cost of human lives, and sanitation workers must receive the safety, respect and dignity they deserve.

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