LMC to use jetting machines for cleaning sewer lines

LUCKNOW : The Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) and the Jal Sansthan will use jetting machines to clear areas that face sewer overflow every year. Through GIS mapping, the civic bodies have identified 50 such spots in the city that will see least manual intervention to avoid risk of Covid for sanitation workers, said officials.

Areas near Civil Hospital in Hazratganj, Lalkuan, road near Raj Bhawan, Hewett road, Chitta Khera, Billauchpura, Alambagh bus station, Chander Nagar, Balaganj and Thakurganj, etc have been identified for cleaning through machines. “The municipal corporation has decided to move from manual scavenging to mechanical cleaning of sewer lines. Sewage India has been entrusted with the work of cleaning the sewage,” said Mayor Sanyukta Bhatia.

“Lucknow is also moving from non-mechanical systems to more mechanical and automated systems. The latest equipment have been introduced for cleaning of drains and sewage to save sanitation workers from health hazards. Currently, over 525 workers are into cleaning of sewers. They will be trained to operate advanced cleaning machines.”

Bhatia added, “More than 800 nullahs and 1,500 small drains have to be cleaned before May 31. Similarly, all the sewer lines have to be cleaned before this date. All this work cannot be completed manually in such a short time, that’s why use of machines has become so important.” “The practice of manual scavenging is discouraged during the pandemic. To prevent infections, use of machines is being encouraged,” said Amit Kumar, additional municipal commissioner.