In a recent inspection in Lucknow, sanitation workers were found cleaning drains and sewers without adequate safety gear, violating a 2013 law that prohibits hazardous manual sewer cleaning and mandates protective equipment. Observations in areas like Narhi, Hazratganj, Sadar, and Aminabad showed workers using basic tools and their bare hands to handle sludge and waste, with no gloves, masks, or gumboots in sight. In Sadar Bazaar, some workers wore reflective jackets but still lacked essential protective gear. The situation raised alarms among residents, who noted irregular cleaning and accumulation of garbage, leading to unpleasant odors. One resident, Harman Iftekhar, reported that workers were cleaning drains with bare hands due to the contractor's failure to provide safety equipment. Municipal commissioner Gaurav Kumar emphasized that no sanitation worker should enter sewer lines without safety gear and assured that action would be taken against any contractor allowing such practices. This negligence not only endangers the health of the workers but also poses risks to public health in the community.