Now robots will be deployed on field as part of the project envisaged by Maharashtra Government to put an end to the practice of manual scavenging. The procurement is being handled by Mahatma Phule Magasvarg Vikas Mahamandal and about 100 robots are going to be procured at the cost of Rs 45 crore. These units along with vehicles would be distributed to local bodies for utilisation in carrying out menial work of cleaning choked sewage chambers as the Government has outlawed manual scavenging. Robots would eliminate risk while undertaking the task of cleaning of sewage network or chambers, as presence of methane at the site poses a risk for humans. Several such incidents of scavengers falling to hazardous inhaling of methane prompted the Government to go for machinisation of sewage network cleaning policy.

 

Some of the corporations in Maharashtra, including Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) had already dabbled with deployment of machines to undertake hazardous task of cleaning of choked chambers. These machines were however taken on rent and a lot of criticism followed the decision as there was skepticism as to high cost of the work. Start-ups have deployed AI platforms to further increase the efficiency of cleaning work. The robotic machines are equipped with water proof cameras and gas sensors enabling transmitting of real time high definition footage that helps the handlers who are above ground to operate the machine.

 

The market place is now dominated with several companies that offer the robot machines for sewage chamber cleaning work in range of Rs 30 to 34 lakh. The cleaning work required about half an hour to handle the work and high efficiency of these machines and large number of complaints, the procurement would help local bodies to address the issue more efficiently. The robots are to be procured under scheme Manhole to Machine as part of measures aimed at carrying out reforms in ground level handling of choking complaints relating to sewage network in urban spaces. Usage of robots was successfully demonstrated by a private company in South a few years back and since then the matter was under consideration of the Government to stop all together usage of manual scavengers.