Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has ordered the purchase of 13 advanced machines to clean underground sewers in his Perambur constituency without workers having to enter drains. The move aims to reduce the risks faced by sanitation workers who handle dangerous cleaning tasks.
The proposed equipment includes desilting units and super suckers, which can help remove waste and blockages from underground sewer lines. The machines will be purchased using funds allocated to the Chief Minister’s Assembly constituency. According to the information provided, the tender process will close on October 27, and the equipment must be delivered within 180 days.
The decision comes amid concerns over sanitation workers losing their lives after exposure to toxic gases inside sewers. Entering underground drains can expose workers to dangerous gases and other serious hazards. Mechanised cleaning aims to reduce the need for workers to enter these confined spaces.
The initiative has drawn attention as an effort to improve worker safety in Perambur. Supporters have called for similar measures across Tamil Nadu to prevent deaths linked to hazardous sewer cleaning.
India’s Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, prohibits manual scavenging and provides a legal framework to address the practice. The proposed machines could support safer sanitation work, although their impact will depend on implementation, availability and proper use.
The Perambur initiative may become a model for other areas if the equipment is deployed effectively. Further details about the purchase and installation are expected as the tender process moves forward.