Insights From Solinas
Manual scavenging, which involves the direct handling of human waste from septic tanks, latrines, and sewer systems, unfortunately, continues to exist in India despite the presence of strict laws and constitutional bans. It depicts a significant human rights concern and systemic challenge in sanitation infrastructure. It is not just a sanitation failure, but it raises serious questions about the safety and dignity of those involved. In this article, we will delve into the root causes, systemic failures, and explore a technological solution known as Homosep, a robotic innovation introduced by Solinas.
- Human Impact of Manual Scavenging in India
Manual scavenging is a serious human rights violation in India, where individuals are pushed into dangerous conditions that jeopardize their health and safety. Officially, about 60,000 manual scavengers are acknowledged. However, the real figure could be much higher, with roughly 1.3 million sanitation workers operating in informal settings. The consequences are staggering, with 472 manual scavenging deaths between 2016 and 2020. Tackling this issue demands strict enforcement of existing laws, a broad shift towards mechanized sanitation solutions, and genuine support for the communities affected, ensuring sanitation worker safety and dignity.
- India’s Legal Stand on Manual Scavenging
Constitutional Protection (Article 17 & Article 15)
Article 17 puts an end to “untouchability” and makes it illegal to practice, specifically addressing the issue of caste-based sanitation work. Manual scavenging law in India, Article 15 prohibits discrimination based on caste, which means that manual scavenging is a caste-based job that goes against the rights guaranteed by the constitution.
The 1993 Act
The 1993 Act prohibited dry-latrine construction and manual cleaning of human excreta.
The 2013 Prohibition Acts
The 2013 Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act explicitly bans employment in hazardous cleaning without gear and mandates rehabilitation. Yet proper enforcement is lacking still not even a single conviction was reported in the last 20 years under the 1993 Act.
- Government Measures and National Mission
Constitutional Protection (Article 17 & Article 15)
NAMASTE Scheme 2023
Ministries of Social Justice & Empowerment and Housing & Urban Affairs have together led NAMASTE to promote robotic cleaning technologies and provide training and insurance for sanitation workers under mechanized sanitation schemes in India. It aims to ensure dignified and safe working conditions and represents a shift toward mechanized sanitation while focusing on cleaning robots for manhole cleaning.
Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM 2.0)
SBM 2.0 focuses on complete sanitation coverage and scientific fecal sludge management by encouraging Swachh Bharat sanitation robots. It promotes mechanical cleaning methods like cleaning robots and infrastructure upgrades to eliminate unsafe manhole cleaning.
Prohibition and Rehabilitation Programs
The 2013 Act mandates the identification of manual scavengers and provides for their rehabilitation through alternative employment, skill training, and financial support.
- WhyManual Scavenging Continues Despite Legal and Constitutional Prohibitions
Gaps in Policy Execution
Schemes like SBM and NAMASTE persist in serving the cause, but funding and implementation have been inconsistent, which brings challenges to sanitation infrastructure. Weak enforcement of the 2013 Act and hardly filed convictions mean manual scavenging continues.
Training and Transition Gaps
Even when technology is available, local sanitation workers frequently don’t receive the training they need to operate or maintain the machines over time. As a result, they often have to revert to manual methods.
Operational Constraints
Municipal bodies often face budgetary, logistical, and training limitations that slow down the adoption of mechanized sanitation tools. Traditional solutions are not qualified to deal with the growing complexity of public infrastructure. Municipal bodies are dependent on outdated tools, rods, ropes, and vacuum tankers that fail in dense sludge and inaccessible areas.
- Transition from Manhole to Robohole
India’s gap between law and practice is being addressed by Solinas Integrity through Homosep, a sanitation robot septic tank cleaning system as well as sewage treatment. Started in IIT Madras Research Park, Homosep initiates mechanized cleaning without human entry. It is enabling a safer transition from manhole to robohole. Ten units have already undergone field training with sanitation workers and are operational in several municipalities. Homosep supports Sustainable Development Goals and contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well Being) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by promoting safer working conditions and skilled employment.
How Homosep Works
Homosep is a cutting-edge robotic cleaner for septic tanks tailored to meet the unique sanitation needs of India. It comes packed with a variety of features:
- Rotary pneumatic cutterto crumble sludge
- Homogenization moduleto loosen compacted waste
- Toxic gas sensors for real-time operational feed
- Powerful suctionand remote operation
- Compact, scalable, and transportable, suitable for Indian urban slums and narrow lanes
Deployment & Impact
- 16+ citiesdeployed during the early stages
- 2,000+ septic tanks cleanedwithout human entry
- Training and upskilling programsfor sanitation teams to operate robotic systems
- To name a few robotic septic tank cleaning success story places like Secunderabad, Chennai, Trichy, and Nagpur, local authorities have confirmed that municipal bodies are successfully using Homosep.
- Law, Tech & Dignity Must Coincide
The way ahead is to expand the use of robotic sanitation tools like Homosep in various municipalities under the SBM and NAMASTE initiatives, aiming to completely eradicate manual scavenging.
With Homosep, Solinas Integrity is turning that promise into reality by delivering safer, compliant, and scalable sanitation. It is time for a nationwide shift from superficial compliance to genuine transformation. The next challenge is ensuring the technology reaches every corner of India where human scavenging still exists.
