The Government of India is implementing the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) as a flagship initiative to ensure safety, dignity and social security for sanitation workers while accelerating the transition towards mechanised sanitation across the country. The scheme is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, with the primary objective of eliminating hazardous manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks by promoting mechanised cleaning practices, skill development and comprehensive welfare measures.
Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar emphasized that the scheme reflects the government's unwavering commitment to ensuring every sanitation worker can work with dignity, safety and social security, aligning with the vision of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas'. The government has adopted a holistic approach combining technology, occupational safety, health protection and entrepreneurship opportunities to improve workers' lives and achieve zero fatalities in sanitation work.
The scheme has achieved significant validation coverage, with 89,915 sewer and septic tank workers and 281,117 waste pickers identified and profiled under the program. Substantial protective equipment has been distributed, including 87,037 PPE kits to sewer and septic tank workers and 184,118 PPE kits to waste pickers. Health protection measures include the issuance of health cards to 76,845 sewer and septic tank workers and 104,729 waste pickers across the country.
Infrastructure strengthening includes equipping 753 Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs) with modern safety devices to ensure safe sanitation operations and emergency response capabilities. The scheme aims to eliminate direct human contact with hazardous waste, ensure sanitation operations are conducted through mechanised equipment, build a skilled sanitation workforce, and promote entrepreneurship among sanitation workers through Self-Help Groups and livelihood opportunities.
The government continues to work closely with States, Union Territories, Urban Local Bodies and implementing agencies to expand mechanised sanitation services, strengthen occupational safety standards and improve the socio-economic well-being of sanitation workers through sustained collaboration and community participation.