BMC to buy 37 sewer cleaning machines

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to buy 37 high-tech machines to stop human involvement in sewage cleaning in manholes. According to the BMC, there are 3.5 lakh manholes across Mumbai. More than Rs 160 crore will be spent to buy the machines. This year, the civic body has prepared an estimated budget of Rs 275 crore for the laying and widening of sewer lines. The BMC has also kept aside Rs 2,000 crore for the upgradation of existing Sewage Treatment Plants (STP). The BMC will require Rs 15,000 crore for the reconstruction and upgradation of seven STPs, including Malad, Bhandup, Versova, Ghatkopar, Bandra, Dharavi, and Worli. These STPs will have a 50% sewage treating capacity collected at the tertiary level, which can later be reused for non-potable purposes. Here is an infographic depicting the allocation: While 24 machines will enable cleaning sewers in compact pipes or narrow lanes with a 300 mm diameter, seven quick response machines for cleaning up quickly in case of urgent calls like a choke up, three 600 mm high capacity main sewer cleaning machines and three others for silt and sludge dewatering that will be used for cleaning septic tanks, will be purchased, according to BMC. Given below is a data representation of the types of machines BMC is set to buy: