After Kaggalipura tragedy, BWSSB issues strict safety rules for manhole & STP cleaning

Mandatory registration for all private agencies and vehicles, deadline set for March 7; building owners to face direct responsibility for any mishap.

In the wake of a tragic incident in Kaggalipura where a young boy lost his life due to alleged negligence linked to the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), the water board has issued a set of stringent safety guidelines aimed at preventing similar accidents in the future.

Reacting firmly to the incident, BWSSB has placed all private agencies engaged in cleaning manholes and sewage treatment plants (STPs) under strict regulatory control. The board has made it compulsory for every private agency and vehicle involved in these operations to obtain official registration. Without registration, no agency will be permitted to undertake cleaning or maintenance work.

The BWSSB Chairman has directed all Executive Engineers and Assistant Executive Engineers to strictly enforce these new regulations across all divisions. Clear instructions have been given to ensure zero tolerance in implementation, with a focus on accountability and worker safety.

Also Read:Amazon inaugurates second largest Asia office campus in Bengaluru

As per the new directive, all owners of vehicles and private agencies involved in cleaning private sewer systems, manholes, and STP units must complete mandatory registration at the divisional level by March 7, 2026. The board has asked officials to identify all such agencies and vehicles operating within their jurisdiction and ensure compliance within the stipulated deadline.

Further, BWSSB has clearly instructed that the maintenance of STPs and manholes in commercial complexes, residential apartments, group housing projects, and private layouts must be carried out only through registered agencies. Property owners, builders, and Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) have been warned against engaging unregistered or unauthorized individuals for these tasks.

In a strong message, the board stated that if any accident or untoward incident occurs during cleaning operations carried out by unregistered agencies or individuals, the responsibility will rest entirely with the property owners or the concerned RWA. They will be held directly accountable for any loss of life or injury.

Also Read:EV is India’s next IT moment: Experts call for skills, startups and innovation at EVready 2026

The water board has also made it mandatory for all private agencies and their operational vehicles to complete formal registration, reinforcing that safety compliance is no longer optional but a strict requirement.