Insights From Solinas
The Technological Turn in Indian Sanitation
Manual scavenging is still a grim reality in India, even though it was outlawed by the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act in 2013. From 2017 to 2023, 330 manual scavengers lost their lives while cleaning sewers, according to Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment data. This issue runs deep, rooted in a lack of mechanized solutions and inconsistent enforcement of policies. The problem disproportionately affects safai karamchari and sanitation workers, highlighting broader concerns around human rights and social justice. However, a glimmer of hope is on the horizon a technology-driven transformation is taking shape thanks to advancements in robotics, camera inspections, and high-efficiency machinery.
The Scale of the Challenge
India has an extensive sewer and drainage pipeline network of over 5 million kilometers. However, a 2021 Parliamentary Standing Committee on Urban Development report revealed that a staggering 60% of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) still depend on manual cleaning methods. Although initiatives like AMRUT 2.0 and SBM-U Phase II provide funding to modernize sanitation, the shift toward mechanization has been slow, particularly in smaller cities and towns. The challenge extends across waste management systems, sanitation services, and municipal cleaning operations, where traditional methods continue to pose occupational safety risks and workplace hazards to countless workers.
How Municipalities Are Leading the Transition
Many innovative cities in India are embracing robotic and machine-led solutions to address various challenges. Take Mumbai, for instance. They have rolled out high-pressure sewer jetting machines and sewer camera inspections to keep their extensive sewer systems in check. Meanwhile, Thiruvananthapuram has brought manhole-cleaning robots to take over the manual work. Indore and Hyderabad also use vacuum-assisted drain machines and industrial sewage management units to streamline drain clearance. Cities like Bhubaneswar and Gandhinagar are testing desilting robots and AI-driven diagnostics to spot blockages and monitor their infrastructure. These automation initiatives also extend to septic tank cleaning and comprehensive sewage treatment solutions. These initiatives are not just one-off projects but part of a broader shift fueled by necessity, safety, and supportive policies.
Machines Revolutionizing Sanitation
A new generation of equipment is helping eliminate human involvement in dangerous sanitation work, significantly improving safety measures and reducing health risks. Key innovations include:
· Drain Cameras & Sewer Camera Inspections: These tools enable non-intrusive assessment of pipe conditions through advanced pipeline inspection technology.
· High-Pressure Jetting Machines: Used to dislodge debris and clean out clogged lines.
· Vacuum Gulper Machines: Ideal for removing sludge and solid waste from deep sewer lines.
· Desiltman Robots: These handle desilting and cleaning tasks in confined or toxic environments.
· Camera for Drain Pipes: Facilitates proactive diagnostics to prevent costly repairs using intelligent monitoring systems.
· Cleaning Robot Systems: Advanced sewer robot technology designed specifically for hazardous environments.
· HomoSEP Robot Solutions: Specialized robotic cleaning systems that eliminate the need for manual entry into manholes, similar to innovative cleaning robots that prioritize worker safety.
The Way Forward
With the Indian government setting aside a whopping ₹1.41 lakh crore for AMRUT 2.0 aimed at transforming urban areas, there is a real push to enhance robotic solutions in sanitation. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is encouraging cities to mechanize their sanitation strategies and is backing this shift with funding and training programs. Additionally, the NAMASTE scheme and ongoing Swachh Bharat mission initiatives are driving mechanized sanitation adoption across urban centers. These programs emphasize workers rights and dignity work as fundamental principles in the transition away from manual methods.
Ending manual scavenging goes beyond just technology. It is fundamentally about dignity, fairness, and safety. As more cities start using tools like sewer network monitoring, sewage camera inspections, and intelligent drain machines, India is making strides toward a future where no one has to risk their life by entering a maintenance hole. This technological revolution in drain cleaning and municipal sanitation represents a critical step toward eliminating sewer deaths and ensuring that no safai mitra faces the dangers that have claimed so many lives in the past. Learn more about how technology is transforming sanitation and creating safer working conditions for sanitation workers across India.
