Deployment of Bandicoot Robots for Sewer Manhole Cleaning Under Brihanmumbai Muncipal Corporation
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), India’s largest civic body, undertakes extensive sewer network maintenance operations across the city to ensure uninterrupted sanitation services.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), India’s largest civic body, undertakes extensive sewer network maintenance operations across the city to ensure uninterrupted sanitation services. Recognizing the critical need to eliminate manual entry into manholes and enhance operational efficiency, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) collaborated with Genrobotics to deploy the Bandicoot robotic manhole cleaning system.
The initiative was aimed at transforming conventional sewer cleaning practices through advanced robotic technology, thereby ensuring worker safety, operational precision, and sustainability in urban sanitation management.
PROJECT DETAILS
Project 1
- Duration: September 2024 to March 2025
- Number of Robots : 2
- Total Manholes Cleaned : 1,111
Project 2
- Duration: June 2025 to Present
- Number of Robots : 2
- Total Manholes Cleaned (as of date) : 1,069
The Bandicoot robots were deployed under BMC’s supervision for systematic sewer and manhole cleaning operations. Each robot was operated remotely, eliminating the need for human entry into confined spaces.
Key features utilized during the operation included:
- Robotic Arm Mechanism: Enabled precise sludge and waste removal from manholes.
- High-Definition Cameras and Sensors: Provided real-time visibility and ensured safe navigation in confined spaces.
- Toxic Gas Detection System: Monitored air quality to enhance.
- Bucket System: Facilitated efficient lifting and disposal of collected waste.
IMPACT AND OUTCOMES
Improved Safety and Hygiene:
The robotic system minimized exposure to toxic gases and harmful pathogens, significantly enhancing the safety and hygiene standards for sanitation operations.
Sustainability and Scalability:
The initiative supports BMC’s long-term goal of adopting smart, technology-driven sanitation models under the Swachh Bharat Mission framework.
Operational Efficiency:
Bandicoot enabled faster and more systematic cleaning cycles, contributing to improved sewer network maintenance across the operational zones.
Elimination of Manual Scavenging:
The project achieved 100% elimination of human entry into manholes, ensuring full compliance with the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.
Rehabilitation and Skill Development:
Sanitation workers previously engaged in manual cleaning were trained as robotic operators, promoting dignified employment and skill upgradation.
SUMMARY OF ACHIEVEMENTS
The deployment of Bandicoot robots under BMC, facilitated by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), marks a significant advancement in Mumbai’s sanitation modernization efforts. By replacing manual entry with robotic operations, the project not only improved safety and efficiency but also contributed to sustainable urban sanitation management. This collaboration serves as a benchmark for adopting advanced robotic technologies in civic infrastructure management across metropolitan cities in India.