Technology Transformation in Urban Sanitation
This PIB document showcases technological innovations being implemented across Indian cities to modernize urban sanitation under the Swachh Bharat Mission. The initiatives represent a shift from manual cleaning methods to digital, sensor-enabled, and electrified solutions that create cleaner cities and safer workplaces.
Raipur's Digital Faecal Sludge Management
Raipur Municipal Corporation has developed a digital Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) dashboard prototype based on the UPYOG (Urban Platform for DeliverY of Online Governance) platform. This system allows residents to book desludging services online by entering a mobile number or property ID, which automatically locates the address. The platform enables complete digital processing including service requests, payments, and real-time tracking. The "one application, one trip" approach improves planning efficiency, with drivers uploading photographs after completing work for digital verification. The system supports the shift from manual sewer cleaning to mechanized cleaning, reducing human risk in hazardous environments.
Thiruvananthapuram's AI-Powered Canal Cleaning
Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation has deployed G-SPIDER, an AI-powered canal-cleaning system developed by Technopark-based Genrobotic Innovations. The robot uses machine vision and sensor intelligence to detect, assess, and remove accumulated waste from the Amayizhanchan Canal, which has restricted vertical clearance, continuous water flow, and no safe entry points for workers. The system features a five-degrees-of-freedom mechanism with a biomimetic claw that can pick up mixed and irregular debris, adapting to different waste types and flow conditions in real time. The extracted waste is transferred directly into collection vehicles, minimizing worker exposure to toxic gases and contaminated water.
Electric Vehicle Adoption in Waste Collection
Three cities have implemented electric vehicles for door-to-door waste collection with significant environmental benefits. In Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, more than 200 electric autos equipped with GPS tracking have been deployed, eliminating the need for over 71,000 litres of diesel annually and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 21,000 tonnes over a decade.
Chennai has deployed 5,478 battery-operated e-rickshaws across all 15 zones, with each vehicle traveling approximately 40 km daily. These vehicles reduce around 41 tonnes of carbon emissions each day, amounting to an annual reduction of 15,160 tonnes. Each e-rickshaw has separate bins for wet, dry, and hazardous waste, bringing segregation into the collection process. The fleet covers 24,621 streets and more than 2.1 million households, while supporting employment for over 6,000 people.
Indore has deployed 100 electric vehicles for door-to-door collection in core areas, with real-time GPS tracking through the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC). The initiative is expected to reduce annual carbon emissions by approximately 24,918 tonnes and save around ₹5.97 crore yearly in fuel and maintenance costs. The city has established 20 solar charging stations, each equipped with 10 kW solar panels, generating 800-1,000 units of green energy daily and capable of charging 80-100 vehicles per day.
These technological innovations demonstrate how digital platforms, artificial intelligence, and electric mobility are transforming urban sanitation practices across Indian cities, making services more efficient, environmentally friendly, and safer for workers.