Gujarat govt agency deploys robotic machines, claims it will eliminate manual scavenging

By A Representative 

The Gujarat Urban Development Mission (GUDM), a state government agency, has announced the transformative integration of Bandicoot Mobility+, an advanced vehicle-integrated manhole cleaning robot, into the Swachh Bharat Mission’s Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSU) fleet across multiple Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). This strategic deployment is considered Gujarat’s commitment to revolutionizing urban sanitation, eliminating manual scavenging, and enhancing worker safety and dignity, aligning with the state’s declaration of 2025 as the Year of Urban Development.

GUDM claims that the adoption of Bandicoot Mobility+, developed by Genrobotics, is a game-changer in urban maintenance. Equipped with a precision robotic arm, robotic legs, high-definition cameras, gas detection sensors, and a sealed waste management system, this compact, vehicle-mounted robot eliminates the need for human entry into manholes, even in narrow urban lanes. This technological leap supports Gujarat’s #ManholeToMachineHole initiative, positioning the state as a pioneer in mechanized sanitation and a model for a manual scavenging–free India.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, GUDM asserts that this initiative builds on the visionary foundation laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who introduced 2005 as Gujarat’s first Urban Development Year. Today, cities like Ahmedabad (India’s Cleanest Big City), Surat (second in the Super Swachh League), and Gandhinagar (recognized for cleanliness among mid-sized cities) exemplify Gujarat’s success in blending innovation with urban reform. The deployment of Bandicoot Mobility+ across these and other ULBs, including Himatnagar, has elevated sanitation standards, improved operational efficiency, and empowered workers through upskilling.

“Bandicoot Mobility+ has redefined sanitation in Himatnagar, ensuring worker safety and operational excellence,” said Upendra P. Gadhvi, Chief Officer, Himatnagar Nagarpalika. GUDM highlights the human impact, with sanitation workers transitioning from hazardous manual tasks to dignified roles as robot operators. “The technology keeps us safe with gas sensors and sealed systems, transforming our work,” said an ERSU worker from Himatnagar.

GUDM claims that Gujarat’s strategic, state-led rollout of Bandicoot Mobility+—already operational in over 300 cities nationwide—sets a national benchmark for urban sanitation reform. With plans for statewide expansion, GUDM is confident that this initiative will solidify Gujarat’s leadership in building a humane, inclusive, and technologically advanced urban ecosystem, ensuring a higher ‘Ease of Living’ for all citizens.