The Sampadak Express News Desk
At least 31 people have died while cleaning sewers and septic tanks so far in 2026 in India, with compensation fully paid in nine of those cases, according to data from the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) reported by The Hindu on October 20.
Haryana has recorded the highest number of fatalities this year to date at eight, followed by Maharashtra and Delhi with six each. Uttar Pradesh has reported three deaths, while Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have reported two each, the NCSK figures show.
In 2025, 51 deaths were reported nationwide, with compensation fully paid in 28 cases. Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest toll that year at 10, followed by Haryana and Delhi with seven each. In 2024, 54 deaths were recorded, of which compensation was fully paid in 43 cases.
Across the 11 years from 2016 to 2026, the Commission documented 773 deaths, and compensation was fully paid in 677 cases. Over that period, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra each recorded 100 deaths, Uttar Pradesh 98, Gujarat 86 and Haryana 85.
Year-wise, 2019 saw the highest number of reported fatalities at 131, followed by 113 in 2017 and 88 in 2022, according to the NCSK’s statement covering 2016–2026.
The Commission said its data are compiled from district and police authorities, State governments and departments, and other official channels. It also takes cognisance of incidents reported in print and electronic media and by Safai Karamchari organisations, civil society groups and individuals.
The NCSK noted that the dataset is dynamic and subject to revision as fresh information emerges. It added that the Commission does not have a statutory mandate to register or maintain a comprehensive database of all sewer and septic tank-related deaths and does not operate an exclusive online portal for such data.
