<p>Bengaluru: To reduce manual intervention in sewer maintenance, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has decided to adopt robotic technology to clean manholes in Bengaluru.</p>.<p>Instead of purchasing expensive equipment, the board plans to invite tenders from companies that offer robotic cleaning services.</p>.<p>"A few cities already use this tested technology. It helps eliminate manual intervention. But buying and operating the robots may be costly, and our engineers are not yet trained. So, we will initially hire a service provider,” said Ramprasat Manohar V, Chairman, BWSSB.</p>.NGT seeks BWSSB reply over sewage pumped into lake.<p>Beyond safety, the robots offer practical advantages, including access to narrow areas unreachable by jetting machines. "The machines can be operated from up to 25 metres away, making them ideal for tight locations,” Manohar added.</p>.<p>Currently, the BWSSB operates 169 sewer jetting machines and six super-sucking machines to clear manholes.</p>.<p><strong>Manhole covers</strong></p>.<p>In a related move, the board has procured 1,500 new Ductile Iron (DI) pressure manhole covers designed to prevent lids from opening and sewage from overflowing onto roads.</p>.<p>Overflowing manholes during the monsoon are a recurring issue. Officials said the new covers would remain shut under pressure and open only when accessed manually.</p>.<p>"Many houses connect rainwater pipes to the Underground Drainage (UGD) instead of stormwater drains (SWD). The UGD system is designed for sewage load, not rainwater. When large volumes enter, pressure builds and manholes overflow. The new covers are meant to prevent that,” a senior BWSSB official explained.</p>.<p>The board has assured it will respond to sewage overflow complaints within 12 hours.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: To reduce manual intervention in sewer maintenance, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has decided to adopt robotic technology to clean manholes in Bengaluru.</p>.<p>Instead of purchasing expensive equipment, the board plans to invite tenders from companies that offer robotic cleaning services.</p>.<p>"A few cities already use this tested technology. It helps eliminate manual intervention. But buying and operating the robots may be costly, and our engineers are not yet trained. So, we will initially hire a service provider,” said Ramprasat Manohar V, Chairman, BWSSB.</p>.NGT seeks BWSSB reply over sewage pumped into lake.<p>Beyond safety, the robots offer practical advantages, including access to narrow areas unreachable by jetting machines. "The machines can be operated from up to 25 metres away, making them ideal for tight locations,” Manohar added.</p>.<p>Currently, the BWSSB operates 169 sewer jetting machines and six super-sucking machines to clear manholes.</p>.<p><strong>Manhole covers</strong></p>.<p>In a related move, the board has procured 1,500 new Ductile Iron (DI) pressure manhole covers designed to prevent lids from opening and sewage from overflowing onto roads.</p>.<p>Overflowing manholes during the monsoon are a recurring issue. Officials said the new covers would remain shut under pressure and open only when accessed manually.</p>.<p>"Many houses connect rainwater pipes to the Underground Drainage (UGD) instead of stormwater drains (SWD). The UGD system is designed for sewage load, not rainwater. When large volumes enter, pressure builds and manholes overflow. The new covers are meant to prevent that,” a senior BWSSB official explained.</p>.<p>The board has assured it will respond to sewage overflow complaints within 12 hours.</p>