Manual scavenging is the process where workers are forced to enter manholes, sewers, or septic tanks to manually clean human waste. This practice is illegal in India since 2013, yet it continues in many places due to lack of alternatives and affordable cleaning machines.Every year, hundreds of workers lose their lives while cleaning sewers. According to a study by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, around 80% of these
workers die before the age of 60 because of accidents, toxic gases, or work-related health issues. Many scavengers report that they have no choice but to enter manholes for their livelihood.Despite the known dangers and existing laws, manual scavenging still exists in India due to the absence of low-cost mechanized solutions for sewer cleaning.