70 sewer-jetting machines launched

Minister for Municipal Administration K T Rama Rao says the State government is determined to eliminate manual cleaning sewerage pipelines and manholes

​Hyderabad: Municipal Administration Minister K T Rama Rao on Monday launched 70 mini sewer jetting machines at a special function held at People's Plaza here on the occasion of World Environment Day on Monday.

These machines are intended to make the process of cleaning the clogged sewage lines easier unlike the conventional machines. The HMWSSB is entrusted with maintenance of the machines.. At present the HMWSSB has 58 air tech machines to clean the manholes in the city. However, the major problem in using these machines effectively is that they are too big to enter narrow lanes.

Now, the new machines will be able to enter narrow lanes, which will make the process of cleaning the sewage easier. Officials said that each division of the Water Board would be given one machine.

Each machine costs Rs 26 lakh which includes bank loan of Rs 20 lakhs. For the first time “Bacteria Free Dresses” were also provided to the operators of these Mini Sewer Jetting Machines.

Launching the machines, KTR said the State government as part of its prestigious programme ‘Swachh Telangana’ had adopted technology to eliminate manual scavenging.

Ravi Kumar Narra, President DICCI South India, said scavenging was the highest paid job in the west, whereas it was the least paid job in India.

To eliminate manual scavenging and to provide dignity, Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board and Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) joined hands to deploy machinery to eliminate manual cleaning of manholes and clogged sewerage lines.