The occupation is forbidden by law, but for a large country like India is essential. From clogged tubes to channel workers to remove the excrement. Now a robot is supposed to remedy the situation. Angela White from Kerala.
Before Satheesh is rising in the manhole down, he rubs his body with oil. It is not a true layer of protection, but still good, so that insects and parasites exposed so easily to the skin. Decomposition, feces and urine go to him. Only with a loincloth, he rises clothed in the slot of a hospital down. He pulls and feel the Suction of the water increases. If it goes well, he must not dive today.
“I’ve seen it all”
Satheesh is a sewer worker in India. With both hands he cleans clogged Sewers and septic tanks, removed the excrement from the sewage pipes, which are found in urban areas. This Job is done according to the Organisation Safai Karmachari Andolan (SKA), at least 770.000 people, mostly men.
He never what to expect in the black-and-brown broth, know the 47-year-old Satheesh of the DW says. He had seen it all. Bad the Restaurants are in addition to the hospitals, the father of three says. Oil and pungent spices, food scraps, fish and meat wastes, Hiking all in the sewer. As you make to channel workers as Satheesh – half rotten, with maggots and worms.
Satheesh at work in the channel
Channel workers are forbidden by law
Canal workers will no longer be permitted in India, according to a law of 2013. Anyone who hires you is risking a prison sentence. Nevertheless, countless workers climb on a daily basis in the dirty channels. In rural, most of the toilets have no sewer connection. The country need to around 2.6 million toilets by Hand, emptied.
The life of the canal workers is short. Rarely are older than 50 years, as a recent statistics. Do you suffer from paralysis, jaundice, skin and respiratory diseases or die early of kidney failure, typhoid fever or tuberculosis. The merit of regional variations. In the North you earn per day, maybe 200 to 300 rupees (2.50 to 3.50 euros), the state of Kerala in southern India, pay better, Satheesh. “For six slots, I get 950 rupees (12 Euro). When I work at night, even twice as much.”
A manhole cover in Thiruvananthapuram
Scandal of dirty work
In 2017, state-of-the canal workers Satheesh in the focus of a public discussion, as he happened to be photographed at work by a journalist from the local newspaper, Kerala Kaumudi, the waste water level in a shaft up to the lips (article photo).
After the publication of this photos of Kerala government came under pressure, was looking for an explanation and solution to the problem. The workers were given protective clothing. “It was impossible to wear them.It hinders a in the narrow shaft. It was incredibly hot and the glasses was fogging up immediately,” says Satheesh.
Founders Nikhil NP (l.)
Channel robot
Later, the authorities moved to machine builders. “The phone rang and they asked us if we can’t help, it’s urgent,” recalls the engineer, Nikhil NP. The 26-Year-old founded with three other engineers to Start-Up companies Genrobotics. “We have researched for three months and we carefully considered, as the shafts are constructed, and what problems can arise,” says Nikhil.
In February 2018, they presented the first Version of your water-resistant Bandicoot robot, equipped with a extendable manipulator arms, lights, cameras and a Display. The company’s founder, invested half a Million euros. From the former sewer worker machines to be leaders.
From canal workers Saheesh a machine has become a leader
The robot itself is constantly optimized. The control panel has been greatly simplified, and the weight is more than halved. In Kerala, the project is in the testing phase. Other States also have shown an interest and training for sewer workers. About 100 of them can operate the robot in the meantime.