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Social welfare & Empowerment; Health & Wellness; Utility & Sanitation

National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) - "Emergency Response Sanitation Unit (ERSU) Formation and Functionalisation"

The scheme aims to establish professional, well-trained, motivated and adequately equipped workforce for maintenance and management of sewers and septic tanks, addressing the critical need to eliminate fatalities resulting from workers entering sewers and septic tanks without proper safety measures.

Authority

Central

Region

Central Government

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

Institutional Setup Benefits | - Establishment of Emergency Response Sanitation Unit in all Municipal Corporations, Water and Sewer Boards in capital cities, and district headquarters. | - Coverage area of 75 kilometers radius from each Emergency Response Sanitation Unit to serve smaller towns within the cluster. | Equipment and Safety Provisions | - Provision of safety devices including Air compressor for blower, Air purified gas mask, breath mask, breathing apparatus, emergency medical oxygen kit, gas motor, full body wader suit, fishing wader suit attached with boots, head lamp, helmet, safety belt, safety body clothing, safety body harness, safety goggles, Tripod with safety belt. | - Financial assistance up to ₹2,00,000/- per Emergency Response Sanitation Unit for safety devices on reimbursement basis. | - Personal Protective Equipment provision for deep cleaning sanitation workers undertaking manual cleaning in emergency conditions. | Operational Support | - Establishment of citizen helpline number 14420 for emergency sanitation service requests. | - Trained manpower deployment with requisite safety equipment availability. | - Professional workforce equipped with Personal Protective Equipment and safety devices for confined space entry. | Training and Capacity Building | - Specific training provision for Sewer Entry Professionals and Emergency Response Sanitation Unit staff for cleaning of sewers and septic tanks in emergency conditions. | - Competency-based training approach matching global standards for all Emergency Response Sanitation Unit staff. | - Simulation and video-based training with practical assessments and certification. | Conditions | - _Safety device reimbursement of ₹2,00,000/- disbursed only after completion of appointment of Responsible Sanitation Authority._ | - _Financial assistance released only after establishment of functional helpline number 14420._ | - _Reimbursement processed only after completion of profiling of all Sewer and Septic Tank Workers in the jurisdiction._ | - _Safety equipment funding disbursed only after completion of occupational training of identified sanitation workers._ | - _Funds released through Public Financial Management System mechanism only._ | - _Utilisation Certificate submission mandatory for receiving reimbursement._ | - _Compliance with Government e-Marketplace procurement procedures required for equipment purchase._

Who can apply

The applicant must be a Municipal Corporation seeking to establish Emergency Response Sanitation Unit.; The applicant must be a Water and Sewer Board located in capital cities of States or Union Territories.; The applicant must be district headquarters administration requiring emergency sanitation response capabilities.; The applicant must designate a Responsible Sanitation Authority as District Magistrate or Municipal Commissioner for their respective jurisdiction.; The applicant must establish and maintain functional helpline number 14420 for citizen emergency sanitation service requests.; The applicant must complete profiling of all Sewer and Septic Tank Workers within their jurisdiction through organised profiling camps.; The applicant should demonstrate capability to serve emergency cleaning operations within 75 kilometers radius including smaller clustered towns.; The applicant should ensure availability of trained manpower for Emergency Response Sanitation Unit operations.; The applicant should maintain requisite safety equipment and devices for confined space entry operations.; The applicant must ensure completion of occupational training of all identified Sewer and Septic Tank Workers before seeking reimbursement.; The applicant should designate and train Sewer Entry Professionals for emergency manual cleaning operations.; The applicant must comply with provisions of Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 and Rules framed thereunder.; The beneficiary must be a Sewer and Septic Tank Worker engaged in cleaning and maintenance of sewers and septic tanks.; The beneficiary should be employed by Urban Local Bodies, parastatal agencies, or Private Sanitation Service Organisations.; The beneficiary must be above 18 years of age for availing training and safety equipment benefits.; The beneficiary should participate in profiling camps organised by Urban Local Bodies for database creation.; The applicant must maintain continuous operation of helpline number 14420 with adequate response mechanism.; The applicant must ensure only trained and certified Sewer Entry Professionals undertake manual cleaning in exceptional cases with proper authorization from Responsible Sanitation Authority.; The applicant must submit utilisation reports and maintain records of Emergency Response Sanitation Unit operations for monitoring purposes.; The applicant should provide institutional framework for Emergency Response Sanitation Unit with trained manpower availability.; The applicant must ensure compliance with Manual Scavenging Act 2013 provisions during all operations.

Required Paperwork

  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Residence Proof (Domicile)

Common Questions

What is the primary purpose of establishing Emergency Response Sanitation Units across urban areas in India?

Emergency Response Sanitation Units are established to systemize human entry into sewer and septic tanks through the organization of a professional, well-trained, motivated and appropriately equipped establishment for mechanized cleaning operations.

Which authority is responsible for overseeing the Emergency Response Sanitation Units in each district?

The District Magistrate in every district can be designated as the Responsible Sanitation Authority with clearly defined roles and responsibilities through statute to oversee sanitation response operations.

Where will the Emergency Response Sanitation Units be physically located within the district structure?

A well-equipped Sanitation Response Unit shall be set up in the headquarters of the Urban Local Body of the district, with a mandate to serve the entire district covering both rural and urban areas.

What is the geographical coverage area that each Emergency Response Sanitation Unit is expected to serve?

Each Emergency Response Sanitation Unit established in the largest Urban Local Body of each district shall service emergency cleaning operations in both urban areas and the peripheral rural jurisdiction of that district.

How many Emergency Response Sanitation Units are anticipated to be established nationwide under this initiative?

Approximately 1000 Sanitation Response Units are likely to be set up across the country for emergency cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.

What is the preferred helpline number that Emergency Response Sanitation Units should operationalize for receiving service requests?

Emergency Response Sanitation Units should operationalize helpline number 14420 to receive service requests from citizens for cleaning of sewer septic tanks and related emergency services.

Which specific sanitation workers are permitted to undertake manual cleaning operations through Emergency Response Sanitation Units?

Only skilled and certified Sewer and Septic Tank Workers designated as Sewer Entry Professionals will undertake manual cleaning of septic tanks, machine holes, and sewer lines in exceptional cases.

What safety equipment and devices will Emergency Response Sanitation Units receive for conducting deep cleaning operations?

Emergency Response Sanitation Units will receive safety devices including air compressor for blower, air purified gas mask, breathing apparatus, emergency medical oxygen kit, full body wader suit, safety harness, and other protective equipment.

What is the maximum financial assistance provided to Emergency Response Sanitation Units for procurement of safety devices?

Safety devices costing up to ₹2,00,000 will be provided to Emergency Response Sanitation Units on reimbursement basis for conducting safe manual cleaning operations in emergency situations.

Under what conditions will Emergency Response Sanitation Units be eligible to receive safety devices and equipment?

Emergency Response Sanitation Units will receive safety devices after appointment of Responsible Sanitation Authority, establishment of functional helpline number, completion of profiling of Sewer and Septic Tank Workers, and their occupational training.

Which ministry is responsible for providing specific training to Emergency Response Sanitation Unit staff for emergency cleaning operations?

Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs will provide specific training to Sewer Entry Professionals and Emergency Response Sanitation Unit staff for cleaning sewers and septic tanks in emergency conditions.

What type of training approach will be adopted for strengthening Emergency Response Sanitation Unit operations?

A competency-based approach for training will be adopted creating an ecosystem for delivering simulation and video-based training, practical assessments and certification matching global standards.

Which categories of sanitation work are Emergency Response Sanitation Units specifically mandated to handle?

Emergency Response Sanitation Units are mandated to handle emptying of septic tanks, sewerage network maintenance, and mechanized cleaning operations requiring professional intervention.

How will Emergency Response Sanitation Units coordinate with rural sanitation bodies in their operational area?

Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation shall collaborate with Emergency Response Sanitation Units for sensitization of rural bodies for availing emergency cleaning services in peripheral rural areas.