Chennai Mayor condemns workers using bare hands to clear Deepavali waste, silt - The HinduPublished - November 08, 2026 12:39 am IST - ChennaiWorkers clear a silt catch pit with bare hands and without protective gloves or boots in Jamalia, Perambur, amid the Northeast monsoon rains, highlighting the lack of adequate safety gear for Greater Chennai Corporation workers on November 2, 2026. | Photo Credit: Special ArrangementWith crackers and other Deepavali waste being cleared from streets across Chennai, conservancy workers of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) continue to handle silt, garbage and stagnant water without adequate protective equipment, raising concerns over their safety during the Northeast monsoon.A recent report in The Hindu highlighted how workers who were engaged to clear silt from stormwater drain (SWD) catch pits and stagnant water in several parts of the city were working with bare hands, without any protective gear -- gloves and footwear. The practice was also noticed during the recent rains, where workers were seen clearing silt from a catch pit without gloves.Mayor R. Priya said the practice should not continue and pointed out that the waste generated during Deepavali, including discarded crackers, posed additional challenges for workers. “This should not be happening,” she said, adding that cracker waste could contain chemicals and required separate cleaning arrangements rather than being mixed with regular garbage.A GCC official acknowledged that the provisions made for safety equipment in the estimates were inadequate. “Invariably, sewage gets mixed with stormwater drains, whatever we may say. The provisions made in the estimates are very limited and are largely based on the number of man-days. From next time onwards, we will make more liberal provisions for safety gear and incur some additional expenditure, as it is necessary for the workers’ safety,” the official said.The official said workers sometimes found the protective gloves uncomfortable, particularly when they became torn. The gloves supplied in Tondiarpet, Ambattur and Anna Nagar Zones had a good grip, the official added.The official said workers were being advised to use the protective equipment provided to them. However, the issue also required greater awareness among workers about the risks involved in handling silt and sewage without protection.Published - November 08, 2026 12:39 am ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }