Robots to Combat Monsoon Filth

Manual drain cleaning remains hazardous and inefficient in Indian cities, especially during the monsoon. Thiruvananthapuram’s stormwater lines and canals have been overwhelmed by solid waste, silt, and organic sludge,
posing flooding and health hazards. In July, the municipal corporation deployed a high-tech robotic drain cleaner,
funded under the AMRUT scheme. The device uses 360-degree rotating nozzles, hydro-pressure jets, and remote
monitoring to clear blockages without exposing sanitation workers to risk. The initiative, developed by a Chennaibased start-up, has already shown promise. A third robot is in development, and city officials plan to scale it across all 100 wards. The project could serve as a template for modernising urban sanitation across India.