Chennai: To eliminate manual scavenging, Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is set to pilot a project utilising fully submersible robots to clean storm water drains across the city, starting with Alandur zone.
This initiative was announced at a startup event held at Ripon Buildings on Wednesday. Organised by Start Up TN under MSME department, the event saw participation of GCC’s special projects department, which has partnered with Solinas Integrity Private Ltd. The company showcased four types of automated robots designed for drain surveys and cleaning, capable of handling diameters ranging from 90mm to 2,000mm. These robots are equipped with pantograph 720p cameras to accurately assess sludge and garbage layers.
GCC will use smaller robots, known as crawlers, to enter the drain. Prabhakaran, a representative from Solinas, said these crawlers can navigate drains as narrow as 90mm, surveying the depth of silt and identifying materials to facilitate effective cleaning. “We are developing similar robots that can clear and remove silt using sucker machines positioned outside the drain,” he said.
GCC also plans to test a ‘water-sewer’ robot named Endo 600. This robot can traverse thick canal sludge and is capable of removing up to 25kg of silt from waterways in one operation.
G Sameeran, GCC deputy commissioner (works), highlighted the challenges posed by older drains. “Drains constructed 20 years ago lack openings, and that makes desilting difficult. In some cases we need to break and reconstruct these drains. Modern drains, built with openings every 2.5m, are much easier to maintain. Submersible robots will be particularly useful for these older drains, and we plan to pilot this technology in Alandur,” he said.
In addition to robotic cleaning, GCC will map the city’s drains to identify missing links and wrong gradients before setting them right. The corporation has approved Birdscale, another firm, to do a trial survey using drones to identify gradient issues and project water flow patterns. This, followed by a hydrology study, aims to tackle water logging in some 600 flood-prone areas.
The startup event, an initiative of the Tamil Nadu government, aims to provide smaller companies with project opportunities.
A similar collaboration recently enabled Coimbatore corporation to enhance its live-monitoring of corporation toilets. At the event, 14 firms showcased their innovative models. Another company received approval to pilot a live-mapping project in north Chennai to study sanitation and cleanliness.
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During the event, Nitesh, technical head, and Vishwanath, CSR head from the Solinas team, briefed on the working of the sewer robot, the suction cum jetting machine, and its importance to eliminate manual scavenging.
