Civic agencies plan to deploy CSIR-CMERI mechanical drain cleaning system

CSIR-CMERI engineers explore mechanical drain cleaning system to replace manual scavenging, offering affordable solution for civic agencies.

In a bid to stop manual cleaning of drains and sewer, the engineers of civic agencies in the city have started exploring the feasibility of implementing a mechanical drain cleaning system.

Scientists from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CMERI) held meetings recently with engineers from the Greater Chennai Corporation, the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB), and other government agencies to implement the new system to replace manual scavenging.

In the past few years, the CSIR-CMERI has patented drain cleaning systems to replace the manual work in drainage cleaning. It had developed a machine for use in sewer pipes up to 300 mm in diameter for a length of up to 100 m and can handle blockage caused by plastic, other non-biodegradable items, debris, and tree root intrusion.

According to representatives of manual labourers in Chennai, 40 persons have died during drain and septic tank cleaning in the city in the past 10 years. However, many of their families are yet to receive compensation.

Civic agencies have already announced mechanisation of drain and sewer cleaning, but this has been an expensive exercise. The CSIR-CMERI’s drain cleaning machine is affordable when compared to the expensive jet rodding machines and super suckers, the officials said.

Recently, 213 jet rodding machines were provided to persons selected from the manual labourers of the CMWSSB, with 50% of the machine’s cost of ₹64 lakh subsidised by the government. The manual labourers, however, organised protests alleging that the 1,449 manual labourers on contract and 789 permanent ones were not among those who received this subsidy.

The GCC has also deployed jet rodding machines and super suckers to clear blockage in storm-water drains in many of its 15 zones. However, the machines are expensive, and operation cost was high. The CSIR-CMERI’s machine will be more efficient in resolving civic issues caused by overflowing drains and sewer, the civic officials added.