‘It has to be done only at night’ human waste disposal in Bengaluru

Author(s): Sharada Prasad, CS; Ray, I | Abstract: India’s National Urban Sanitation Policy and its flagship programme, the Swachh Bharat Mission, strongly recommend mechanical technologies for safe faecal sludge management. But, how do septic tank cleaners live and work, and why are their practices not “safe”? An evening spent in observation of their work and in conversation with cleaners and truck drivers in Bengaluru is recounted.