A recent intelligence report has sent shockwaves through the administrative and political circles of Uttar Pradesh’s capital. According to the findings, nearly 80 per cent of sanitation workers employed by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) may be Bangladeshi or Rohingya nationals working illegally under outsourced contractors. The revelation has triggered a high-level verification drive across all municipal zones.
The report suggests that out of approximately 15,000 sanitation workers currently engaged in the city, around 12,000 are suspected to be foreign nationals. The trend, however, is not limited to Lucknow alone. Similar patterns are reportedly visible in ten major municipal corporations of the state, where more than 1.5 lakh sanitation workers are believed to be working without proper documentation. Intelligence officials have warned that such unchecked infiltration into municipal services could become a long-term security and administrative challenge if not addressed swiftly.
Sources indicate that private contractors and outsourcing agencies working with the LMC have been employing Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants on a large scale for years, primarily because they accept lower wages. These workers are reportedly paid around Rs 9,000 per month, out of which Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 goes into the pockets of middlemen and contractors.
ALARMING!
Out of 15,000 sanitation workers in the Lucknow municipality, 80% are Bangladeshi and Rohingya!
This is based on an intelligence report.
Yes, you read it correctly, EIGHTY PERCENT!
They were hired under fake Assam identities, allegedly with the help of some… pic.twitter.com/3V033iqDEv
— Treeni (@treeni) November 7, 2025
Municipal officials have found that many workers registered in the Corporation’s records are not residents of Lucknow or neighbouring districts. When questioned about their origins, they often claim to be from Assam or West Bengal. However, intelligence sources believe that a large number of them are actually from Bangladesh and Rohingya settlements. Contractors have been accused of arranging fake documents for these workers and enlisting them as “outsourced employees” under the municipal payroll.
Initial investigations have revealed that this system is thriving under political patronage. The report mentions that several local councillors helped these individuals obtain Aadhaar cards, voter IDs, and ration cards, thereby turning them into potential vote banks. Five years ago, before the last municipal elections, some councillors allegedly issued letters identifying these workers as residents of Assam during Aadhaar registration drives. This allowed thousands of foreign nationals to acquire Indian identity documents and integrate into the city’s workforce.
🚨 BIG CLAIM 🚨
An intelligence report claims that around 80% of sanitation workers in Lucknow Municipal Corporation are allegedly ILLEGAL Bangladeshi and Rohingya nationals.
👉 The report has ALERTED the administration, and verification of workers’ identities has begun. pic.twitter.com/5FivsV5T4G
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) November 7, 2025
The intelligence report also highlights widespread illegal settlements in Lucknow linked to these workers. Over 2,000 acres of government land are reportedly occupied by their makeshift colonies. Many such clusters exist in Gomti Nagar Extension, the outskirts of Indira Nagar, Jankipuram, and the Bakshi Ka Talab (BKT) area.
In response to the report, Municipal Commissioner Gaurav Kumar has ordered a comprehensive police verification of all sanitation workers employed through outsourcing agencies. Each agency has been instructed to submit complete employee records for scrutiny, including identity documents, addresses, and employment contracts. The verification drive will be conducted jointly by the Municipal Health Officer and the local police stations.
Mayor Sushma Kharwal confirmed that the Corporation had previously attempted to remove illegal workers from the system but failed due to a lack of police support. “Last year, we launched a campaign to expel Rohingyas and Bangladeshis from the city, but we didn’t receive much cooperation from the police. If we receive full support now, we will identify and expel each individual. This is undoubtedly becoming a major threat for the future,” she said.
