AAP government may deploy robots to clean Delhi sewers

NEW DELHI: Even as sewer deaths continue to bring shame to the capital, Delhi government is now toying with the idea of deploying robots in all 11 districts to mechanise cleaning of drains in narrow lanes. Earlier this year, the government brought in 200 sewer cleaning machines in a bid to end the practice of manually cleaning. However, these machines were unable to enter the narrow lanes, particularly in unauthorised colonies.
The government is taking a cue from several southern cities where civic bodies have used similar technology to end the practice of manual scavenging.“The government is committed to eradicating manual scavenging. I will be in Kerala on Friday to see a live demo of robots deployed there. We will start the procurement process if it appears that these robots are feasible for Delhi,” social welfare minister Rajendra Pal Gautam said.
After a Kerala-based private company gave a demonstration of the technology at Gautam’s office, the minister decided to go for an on-site inspection. Gautam said the government might station four to five such robots in each district and launch a helpline number for the public. “Any citizen whose house is located in a narrow lane where sewer cleaning machines cannot be used can requisition their service,” he said, adding that the fee for their use would be decided after the procurement.
Meanwhile, the social welfare department has directed all DMs to submit a survey report on the number of manual scavengers in their districts so that they could be issued ID cards. “Last year, only two districts, East and Shahdara, confirmed the presence of manual scavengers. While other DMs submitted that no manual scavenger were present in their areas, stories to the contrary continue to emerge,” Gautam added.
The manual scavengers will be provided with a one-time cash assistance of Rs 40,000, concessional loans of up to Rs 15 lakh and credit-linked capital subsidy up to Rs 3.25 lakh.