Thiruvananthapuram corporation rolls out high-tech drain cleaner

Time of India

2 days ago

Thiruvananthapuram: In a major push to modernize urban sanitation, the city corporation has added two state-of-the-art jetting-suction machines to its cleaning fleet. The G-Mammoth Four-in-One machines are aimed at improving the cleaning of open drains, septic tanks, sewage pits, and manholes with enhanced efficiency and safety.
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The civic body purchased the machines developed by Thiruvananthapuram-based startup Genrobotics Innovations Pvt Ltd. Funded under the Union govt's Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation scheme, the machines have already been deployed to provide quick and effective results, while a third unit is currently in development.
Vimal Govind MK, co-founder of Genrobotics Innovations, said it took one and a half years to develop this equipment customized for the city.
"The technology is based on our flagship product Bandicoot, which is used for cleaning manholes without depending on manual labour. This upgraded version integrates four key functions to make the cleaning process faster and safer," he said.
A senior corporation official said the machines would be especially useful during the monsoon to clear clogged canals and drains. "This is a milestone in our mission for a cleaner, healthier Thiruvananthapuram.
The machines are proving to be highly effective in removing clogged waste quickly," the official added.
Each G-Mammoth unit is equipped with a high-pressure jetting system that uses powerful water streams to dislodge blockages in drainage systems. The automatic grabber simplifies the removal of solid waste from narrow or congested areas, reducing the need for manual intervention in hazardous environments.
The machines also feature a robust suction system to extract sludge and transfer it into a 6,000-litre storage tank, ensuring safe disposal.
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An integrated inspection unit with a camera enables real-time internal monitoring, especially within manholes, improving operational oversight and worker safety.
Similar machines were tested successfully in Kochi, known for severe waterlogging and proved effective in tackling the issue. Each unit costs between Rs 70 lakh and Rs 80 lakh and is operated by two trained personnel from Genrobotics. Cleaning operations typically take between 15 to 45 minutes, depending on the site.