There are regular stream of visitors to Chennai metropolis, the Capital, from many villages. First time visitor would be awe-struck seeing the traffic of Chennai, the bustling roads, vehicles, overcrowded EMUs .. .. and then the Airport. To see an Aeroplane in close quarters is always bemusing.
A visit and travel on the IT Corridor – the OMR (Old Mahabalipuram Road) would offer a different experience - from a quiet suburb to a vibrant IT hub, offering a blend of modern infrastructure, serene residential areas with lush greenery, easy connectivity, proximity to beaches (ECR), cultural spots like Iskcon Temple, fine dining, malls, IT, ITES Offices, top schools, and a lively social scene, balancing tech-driven convenience with lifestyle amenities. .. .. .. what many may not know, or ignore is the fact that it lacks proper sewage !!!!!! Many areas along the Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) in Chennai still lack a formal underground sewage system and depend on local solutions like septic tanks and private sewage tankers.
It has been more than couple of decades since manual scavenging was banned in the country. Still, somewhere in the metropolis, even as hundreds of indifferent motorists passby, one may still see workers lowering themselves chest-deep into rainwater mixed with sewage to desilt the stormwater drains. Their working condition is deplorable and once a while we do read about death through asphyxiation from inhaling toxic gases in the sewer. Sadder still, those workers may not have proper geat, gloves, gumboots and the like considering the toxic substances and broken glasses of liquor and medicines thrown negligently by citizens.
Manual scavenging is the hazardous practice of manually cleaning, carrying, or disposing of human excreta from insanitary latrines, drains, or pits as also desilting water, sewage and other connections. Manual scavenging, which includes the manual cleaning of street drains, is a banned practice in India under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013. The practice is a violation of fundamental human rights and is associated with deep-rooted caste-based discrimination.
It is not unique or restricted to OMR – many urban developed areas are facing an existential crisis - classic case of rapid urbanization outpacing the development of basic amenities. A ton of money goes to infrastructure costs and taxes, yet there are serious inadequacies, raising concerns that the stretches could turn into an urban disaster. And buildings flouting Govt norms add to the problem. Many of the vastly built apartment / office complexes are without proper water and sewage connections, roads, stormwater drains, and solid waste management.
Moving away from all such negativity, the other day was very happy to find, Sanitary workers attending to clogged drainage using modern equipment.
Homosep is a pioneering robotic system developed by IIT Madras researchers, specifically designed to automate the hazardous and dangerous work of cleaning septic tanks and sewers, ending the practice of manual scavenging in India by mechanizing the process. It uses a combination of a rotary blade to break up hardened sludge and a powerful suction pump to extract waste, making sanitation safer, more efficient, and environmentally sound, with variants like Homosep Atom and trolley models serving diverse needs. Developed with input from sanitation workers, this technology empowers them with safer tools, supporting initiatives like India's Swachh Bharat (Clean India) Campaign.
The one seen in operation was the CSR initiative of CPCL – [Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited]
formerly known as Madras Refineries Limited (MRL), formed as a joint venture in
1965 between the Government of India (GOI), AMOCO, and National Iranian Oil
Company (NIOC). The present shareholders are IOCL, NICO, and others
Stating Manhole to Machinehole – this CSR initiative equipment
of CPCL - Solinas Integrity Homosep is a
robotic system developed at IIT Madras, designed to eliminate manual scavenging
by mechanically cleaning septic tanks and sewers. The very thought and effort deserves lot of appreciation.
8.12.2025
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