Durgapur, September 3, 2026:

CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CMERI) successfully inaugurated its 30-hour Occupational Safety Training (Up-skilling Training) programme for Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) on September 3, 2026, at its Durgapur campus. Organized under the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme, the initiative is supported by the National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC), the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).

Minister-in-Charge, Department of Urban Development & Municipal Affairs, Government of West Bengal, Smt. Agnimitra Paul graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The event brought together sanitation workers (Safai Mitras) from Durgapur, Asansol, and Burdwan alongside municipal officials and researchers to promote safety, dignity, and technological integration in sanitation work.

In her address, Smt. Paul stated that sewer and septic tank Workers are not merely a category of workers; they play a vital role in keeping our cities and society clean and safe. She further highlighted that a comprehensive database of 60,630 Sewer and Septic Tank Workers engaged across the state will be prepared, PPE kits will be provided to every worker and an Emergency Database containing worker blood groups has been created to ensure prompt assistance during emergencies.

MD, NSKFDC, Shri Prabhat Kumar Singh noted that Safai Karmis may obtain ₹2 lakh insurance coverage through two major Government of India social-security schemes.

Speaking about the occasion, Director, CSIR-CMERI, Dr. N. C. Murmu said, the Swachh Bharat Test Bed & Innovation Centre has been established as a national platform for research, development, testing, and validation in sanitation and allied sectors. The Centre will bridge the gap between laboratory research and field implementation by providing world-class facilities for innovators, industries, start-ups, and government agencies to develop, evaluate and deploy practical, sustainable, and indigenous sanitation solutions, he added.

The key objectives and highlights of the training program include:

Comprehensive Safety Curriculum: A 30-hour up-skilling curriculum conducted per PMKVY guidelines in batches of up to 45 workers, focusing on mitigating occupational risks such as exposure to confined spaces, toxic gases, and biological hazards.

Practical & Demonstration Facilities: Hands-on instruction at the Swachh Bharat Test-Bed & Innovation Center (SBTB-IC) covering safe operation of desludging equipment and proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Financial Support & Certification: Trainees achieving a minimum of 70% attendance will receive an official training certificate and a stipend of ₹1,000.

Promoting Inclusion & Respect: A community meal initiative titled "Safai Mitrorder Sathe Eksathe Ahar" was conducted to foster social equality and respect for sanitation workers.

The initiative reaffirms CSIR-CMERI’s commitment as a national hub and Nodal Laboratory for waste management and sanitation machinery, supporting India's vision of cleaner cities, safer sanitation workers, and sustainable urban infrastructure under Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban 2.0.

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SSS/PK/Kol/3.9.26

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