Agra has become the first city in the country to have vacuum-based sewer systems. These vacuums would be used in public places. Agra Smart City officials told the media that the municipal corporation has linked 240 such houses near the Taj Mahal with vacuum-based sewers, where conventional sewer systems could not be used. These homes are connected to a vacuum-based sewer in a low-lying area. Around 112 chambers have been made in this region, in which the sensor is also installed. The vacuum sewer system will automatically issue a warning if there is a choke, or any other issue. The vacuum sewer system will be used in the Kochi civic body as well if the trial in Agra becomes successful. The estimated cost of sewer connection work is Rs 100 crore. Sixty thousand houses have been linked with a 53 km long sewer line. A vacuum sewer network of 240 houses has been constructed at Rs 5 crore. All the chambers are equipped with geographic information system (GIS) based sensors, which will help pinpoint the area of the chamber and the problem, Smart City PMC leader Anand Menon told the media. Nikhil T Funde, the CEO and Municipal Commissioner of Smart City, said that Agra is the first city in India where vacuum-based sewers have been used. At present, this technology is being used in low-lying areas. The Netherlands company will take care of its maintenance and complete care for up to five years. Image Source Also read: Here's how Agra is mitigating its transportation issue