After getting robots to clean British-era drains, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is getting mini-robots to clean culverts that are impossible for labourers to reach. The robots are only 120 inches long and can remove about 700 kg of silt.

The Hindu reported on Tuesday that the BMC was cleaning unattended drains in the island city for the first time, using an Italian robot.

About 27 km of drain network will be cleaned before the monsoon and will provide relief to waterlogged areas.

The BMC released a statement on Tuesday about how it is also cleaning culverts using smaller robots brought in from West Virginia. The 120-inch robots can rotate 360 degrees, and will be used from April.

Culverts are difficult spots to clean as they are narrow and short. While floating trash is removed from them, a thorough cleaning is not possible, which the robots will now help with.

The robots have in-built cameras and will be operated through remote control. They have a 35-hp engine and can rotate for thorough cleaning.

“This is the first time we are trying this technology. The robots are very efficient and can open new channels for more rainwater to be pumped out.

Arch drains too are being cleaned using these robots. The entire project costs around ₹60 crore,” said Vijay Singhal, Additional Municipal Commissioner.

Many of these culverts pass from under roads or rail tracks, that will also be cleaned through this and prevent flooding.

However, culverts located right next to railway tracks will be cleaned by the Railways and the BMC can only pay them a fee.

Of the 600-km drain network in the city, about 70 km has not been cleaned in decades because of their hazardous nature. Nearly 26 km of the remaining network is being cleaned using Bobcat machines while 484 km is cleaned using existing contractors’ machines.