Implement the ‘Manhole to Machinehole’ Scheme Effectively: Deputy CM Ajit Pawar

Mumbai : Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has directed that the ‘Manhole to Machinehole’ scheme—launched to eliminate manual scavenging in Maharashtra—be implemented effectively and urgently across the state. The initiative aims to mechanize the cleaning of sewers, drains, and septic tanks using modern machines and vehicles.

Pawar chaired a high-level meeting at Mantralaya to review key issues concerning sanitation workers. Also present were Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat, MLAs Sanjay Meshram and Atul Bhatkhalkar, Additional Chief Secretaries O.P. Gupta and Dr. Rajgopal Deora, Principal Secretary of Social Justice Dr. Harshdeep Kamble, and other senior officials from the Urban Development and Social Justice departments. Representatives from the State Sanitation Workers’ Commission and related unions also attended.

Ajit Pawar emphasized that under this scheme, the government has approved ₹504 crore to mechanize sanitation operations. For the fiscal year 2024–25, ₹100 crore has already been released to the Urban Development Department as of March 31, 2025. The procurement of mechanical equipment, robotic units, sanitation tools, and emergency response vehicles is underway. He further instructed that the contracted agencies must handle maintenance and repair of the vehicles for three years and also train sanitation workers to operate them during that period.

Relaxation in Housing Scheme Eligibility

In another significant development, Pawar proposed that the eligibility criteria under the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Shram Safalya Awas Yojana be relaxed. The scheme provides free ownership flats to sanitation workers either after retirement or in the event of their death while in service. Currently, workers must have completed 25 years of service to qualify. Pawar directed the Urban Development Department to prepare a proposal to reduce this threshold to 20 years and present it to the state cabinet for approval.

He also demanded immediate implementation of a government resolution issued in line with the recommendations of the Lad-Page Committee by all municipal corporations and councils. Non-compliance will result in strict action, he warned. Furthermore, he mandated that each municipal body submit a detailed report on the number of active sanitation workers to the Urban Development Department.