Kerala Becomes First State To Clear Manholes Using Robotic Scavengers

The robotic scavenger Bandicoot was introduced by the Keralan government on February 24 to clean the waste in the pilgrimage centre of Guruvayoor. With this, the state cleans every commissioned manhole for the first time in the nation using robotic technology. This seems like a very important adjustment at a time when the number of fatalities from manual scavenging is alarmingly high.

The information provided demonstrated how the caste-based practise, which was originally outlawed in 1993, is still in use and continues to claim hundreds of lives throughout the nation. In that situation, it would be hoped that Kerala's decision would be emulated by other regions of the nation and that manual scavenging as a dangerous occupation would come to an end.

The Guruvayur Sewerage Project in the Thrissur district was launched by the Water Resources Minister, Roshi Augustine, as part of the state government's 100-day action plan. The minister asserts that manual scavenging in Kerala has come to an end with its introduction in the temple town.