CCP launches Bandicoot robot

The Corporation of the City of Panaji took one step forward to eliminate manual scavenging for cleaning its sewer manholes across the capital city.

On Monday, July 18, it inaugurated the bandicoot robot which eliminates the need for labourers to go inside and clean manholes, which is a deameaning and risky task.

The CCP also launched two sewer rodding machines that are used for removal of hard choked pipelines.

A similar machine, the first one in Goa, is already operating in Margao. The CCP machine will be handled by the PWD (Sewerage) department.

Speaking at the inauguration of the robot, PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral said unwanted things were being found in the sewer lines and these are responsible for clogging.

"I request people not to throw unwanted things in their toilets. If they do, then labourers have to get inside to extricate the objects thrown by them, and this is not humane," he said.

Cabral also said he was sorry for the inconvenience caused to the people of Panjim due to potholed roads. The contractor will fix the bad roads when weather permits, he added.