BMC to hand over desilting job to robots

The robotic machines will be handled by the contractors in a way that the silt isn’t stirred all over water reservoirs

To ensure there is no water contamination and to avoid wastage of water during the water distribution process, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will be appointing contractors to clean silt that is settled in various service level reservoirs using robotic machines. The proposal worth Rs10.28 crore will be tabled in front of the standing committee on Friday.

While earlier the civic body had to empty the water stored in the reservoirs to manually clean the silt, with the availability of robotic technology the cleaning will be done through a computer software (File photo)

While earlier the civic body had to empty the water stored in these reservoirs to manually clean the silt, with the availability of robotic technology the cleaning will be handled through computer software. The robotic machines will be handled by the contractors in a way that the silt isn’t stirred all over the reservoir, said civic officials.

One of the civic officials said, “Six to 12 inches thick mud is settled in the reservoirs that not only reduces the storage capacity but also its efficiency in supplying purified water directly to households. Earlier the problem was to remove the silt as emptying the reservoir meant wastage of water and was not a feasible option but this technology will prove to be helpful.”