KTR launches 70 mini-sewer jetting machines

Municipal Administration Minister K. Tarakarama Rao launched 70 Mini Sewer Jetting Machines in a special function held at People's Plaza at Necklace Road on the occasion of World Environment Day on Monday.

Deputy Chief Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali, Ministers Nayani Narasimha Reddy, Talasani Srinivas Yadav, T. Padma Rao, GHMC Mayor Bonthu Rammohan, HMWSSB Managing Director Dana Kishore, Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) Founder Chairman Milind Kamble, DICCI President Narra Ravi Kumar and officials of Tata Motors, State Bank of India and HMWSSB were present in the meeting.

Speaking on the occasion KT Rama Rao told officers that manual scavenging shouldn’t exist in the Telangana State.  Manual Scavenging is the most dangerous thing. We should eliminate it totally from the state, he said.  Quoting Founder of DICCI, Milind Kamble, KTR said Dalit entrepreneurs must use capital to fight caste.  The state government is committed for the development of the Dalits. We have even renamed SC Welfare Department as SC Development Department which will work towards providing dignity to Manual Scavengers, he said.

By introducing these minis sewer jetting machines first time in India, Hyderabad has become a model city in the country.  He told officials to be alert during the monsoon to minimize inconvenience to the people due to the rains.

KT Rama Rao also instructed officials to devise a plan similar to this for Water Tankers and see to it that it will be a win-win solution for both the Board and the contractors.  By the next summer, the 700 to 800 private water tankers which are used should be come down to may be 300 or so, he said.

Milind Kamble, Founder Chairman of DICCI termed Manual Scavengers as the Sanitary Soldiers. This initiative of the state government of Telangana of introducing 70 mini sewer Jetting Machines will be a model initiative to be propagated to the governments in the other states. Through this initiative we have created 70 Sanitary Soldiers.  Our aim is to create another 5000 Sanitary Entrepreneurs or Soldiers in the next one year across the country.  Nearly 1300 manual scavengers died in the last three years across the country. Recently three people died in Faridabad.  This must end. He said.

 HMWSSB also unveiled two books/leaflets on the occasion.

Scavenging is the highest paid job in the west. Where as it is the least paid job here in India. To eliminate manual scavenging and to provide dignity, Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board and Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) have joined hands informed Padmasri Ravi Kumar Narra, President DICCI South India.

The Government of Telangana as part of its prestigious program Swachh Telangana has adopted technology to eliminate manual scavenging. For the first time in India, Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) will be deploying 70 mini jetting machines which were hitherto not possible by those bulky jetting machines to easily access the narrow lanes, smaller colonies and basthis to clear the choked sewer pipes (drainages).

This first of its kind of an initiative in India is the joint effort of HMWSSB and DICCI (Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry) to transform Manual Scavengers to Entrepreneurs. This is a historic move as it enables the elimination of manual scavenging and converts labour into an entrepreneur.  Each machine costs Rs 26 lakh. SBI gave term loan of Rs 20 lakh per machine while the entrepreneur invested about Rs 6 lakhs each.

The Government of Telangana committed to mechanize the scavenging activity some time ago has invited tenders worth Rs 20crore per annum from the reputed Manufacturers / Authorized Dealers / Owners of Sewer Cleaning Machines complying with pollution standards for undertaking desilting works in the city of Greater Hyderabad. Today’s launch function is the culmination of the tender process, and the machines are being handed over to the scavenging labour turned entrepreneurs.

“Bacteria Free Dresses” were also provided for the first time in the country to the operators of these Mini Sewer Jetting Machines.