GCC Commissioner G.S. Sameeran.

| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has announced a relaxation in working hours for conservancy workers owing to heat wave conditions. The civic body also planned to improve conservancy operations in residential areas, expedite work on toilet construction for women conservancy workers in all wards and create facilities for the welfare of workers. GCC Commissioner G.S. Sameeran said, “Work relaxation measures will improve the conditions of women conservancy workers. Field-level supervisors have been instructed to ensure adequate rest breaks, encourage frequent hydration, and avoid unnecessary exposure of workers to peak afternoon temperatures, wherever operationally feasible.”Pointing to the improvement in facilities such as toilets for conservancy workers, Dr. Sameeran said, “So far, work has been completed in 284 locations. I have instructed these zonal officers to complete ongoing work in 82 locations, within two weeks and identify locations for the non-starters. Twenty-six works are yet to commence, mainly due to a lack of an appropriate location within the division. Those issues will be sorted out at the earliest and facilities will be created in those places as well.”“In view of the prevailing heat wave conditions, the Greater Chennai Corporation has implemented several measures for the welfare and protection of conservancy workers engaged in solid waste management activities. Head caps have been supplied to all conservancy workers to protect them from direct exposure to sunlight during field operations. Buttermilk has been distributed to all conservancy workers since March 9, 2026, as a heat mitigation measure. Considering the continuing heat wave conditions, the distribution of buttermilk may be extended up to July 2026 to safeguard the health and well-being of the workers.”The civic body will launch initiatives to promote the safety and security of conservancy workers and prevent road traffic accidents involving women conservancy workers. Many women have sustained injuries, and several women workers have been killed in road traffic accidents at work. Published - June 23, 2026 12:32 am IST