In a landmark demonstration that could reshape urban sanitation across India, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) unveiled ‘Project Shudh’ on January 11-12, 2026, showcasing autonomous robotics technology designed to permanently eliminate the hazardous and inhumane practice of manual scavenging.
A Historic Pilot in Yakutpura
The two-day demonstration at Chilla-e-Moula Ali in Yakutpura marked a significant milestone in India’s ongoing battle against manual scavenging—a practice that continues to claim lives and perpetuate social inequity despite being legally banned since 2013. Developed in collaboration with Bot Factory, a pioneering Indian robotics firm, the initiative represents the convergence of artificial intelligence, robotics, and satellite technology in service of human dignity and worker safety.
“This is not just about technology adoption; it’s about fundamentally reimagining how we approach urban sanitation infrastructure,” said officials from HMWS&SB during the demonstration. “Project Shudh aims to ensure that no human being ever has to risk their life entering a sewer again.”
Technology That Saves Lives
The AI-powered robotic system demonstrated capabilities that address the full spectrum of sewer maintenance challenges:
Core Capabilities
- Autonomous Navigation: Robots equipped with advanced sensors navigate both vertical manholes and horizontal pipeline networks, including complex corner configurations that have traditionally required human intervention.
- Predictive Intelligence: Machine learning algorithms analyze historical data and real-time sensor inputs to forecast potential blockages before they occur, enabling proactive maintenance rather than reactive crisis management.
- Integrated Monitoring: GIS (Geographic Information System) and satellite technology provide comprehensive mapping of underground sewage networks, creating digital twins of the city’s sanitation infrastructure.
- Command & Control: A centralized digital dashboard allows municipal officials to monitor operations in real-time, deploy resources efficiently, and plan maintenance schedules across the entire city network.
Safety First
The system’s primary achievement is the complete removal of human workers from hazardous environments. Sewer gases, including hydrogen sulfide and methane, have caused numerous fatalities among manual scavengers. The robotic solution eliminates this risk entirely while improving cleaning efficiency and consistency.
The Human Cost of Manual Scavenging
The urgency of Project Shudh becomes clear when examining the human toll of traditional sewer cleaning methods. According to various reports, hundreds of sanitation workers have died in sewers and septic tanks across India over the past decade, with many deaths going unreported. The practice disproportionately affects marginalized communities, perpetuating cycles of poverty and social exclusion.
Bot Factory, backed by prominent investors including industrialist Anand Mahindra and Zoho Corporation, has positioned itself at the forefront of this humanitarian technology revolution. The startup’s mission extends beyond commercial success to addressing one of India’s most persistent social challenges.
Challenges on the Path to Scale
While the Yakutpura demonstration proved successful, experts acknowledge significant hurdles before Project Shudh can achieve citywide—and eventually nationwide—implementation:
Infrastructure Scalability
Hyderabad’s sewage network spans hundreds of kilometers with varying pipe diameters, depths, and conditions. Replicating pilot success across this diverse infrastructure will require adaptive robotics capable of handling multiple scenarios.
Economic Considerations
The initial capital investment for robotic systems is substantial. Municipal bodies must balance upfront costs against long-term savings in healthcare, liability, and operational efficiency. Maintenance of sophisticated robotics also requires specialized technical expertise and spare parts supply chains.
Workforce Transition
An estimated 50,000-60,000 people work as manual scavengers across India, many without formal employment contracts or social security. Any transition to automated systems must include comprehensive rehabilitation, retraining, and alternative livelihood programs to ensure these workers aren’t simply displaced but genuinely uplifted.
Regulatory Framework
Current sanitation contracts and procurement processes weren’t designed with robotics in mind. Policy reforms at state and national levels will be necessary to facilitate widespread adoption while maintaining accountability and service standards.
A Model for Urban India
Project Shudh arrives at a critical juncture for Indian cities. Rapid urbanization is straining existing sanitation infrastructure, while growing awareness of worker rights and safety is creating pressure for systemic change. The initiative offers a potential blueprint for other metropolitan areas grappling with similar challenges.
“What Hyderabad is demonstrating today could become standard practice across India within the next decade,” noted urban planning experts observing the pilot. “The technology exists; what’s needed now is political will, sustained funding, and coordinated implementation.”
Looking Ahead
HMWS&SB has indicated that the pilot phase will continue through early 2026, with data collection and performance analysis informing decisions about broader deployment. Success metrics will include not only technical performance but also cost-effectiveness, maintenance requirements, and worker safety outcomes.
The Telangana state government has expressed interest in expanding the program to other cities if the Hyderabad pilot proves successful. Meanwhile, municipal corporations in other states are reportedly monitoring the initiative closely, with several expressing interest in similar partnerships.
The Bigger Picture
Project Shudh represents more than technological innovation—it embodies a fundamental shift in how society values sanitation work and worker dignity. By removing humans from hazardous environments, the initiative acknowledges that certain jobs should never have existed in the first place.
As India positions itself as a global technology leader, initiatives like Project Shudh demonstrate that cutting-edge innovation can and should address the nation’s most pressing social challenges. The success or failure of this pilot will be watched not just by urban planners and technology enthusiasts, but by the thousands of workers whose lives and livelihoods hang in the balance.
For now, the robots of Yakutpura continue their work beneath Hyderabad’s streets—silent sentinels of a future where technology serves humanity’s highest aspirations: dignity, safety, and equality for all.
– Rashmi Kumari
