The Government of Gujarat, through the Gujarat Urban Development Mission (GUDM), has deployed Bandicoot Mobility+, a vehicle-integrated robotic manhole cleaning system—across multiple Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) under the Swachh Bharat Mission’s Emergency Response Sanitation Unit (ERSU) initiative. This aim is to end manual scavenging, ensuring dignity, safety, and hygiene in urban maintenance operations.
Encouraged by the results and the feedback from frontline workers, the Government of Gujarat is now planning statewide adoption of Bandicoot Mobility+, marking another significant step toward building a more humane and technologically empowered sanitation ecosystem for all.
Machine equipped with precision robotic limbs, HD cameras, gas detection sensors, waste management system
The robotic machine, developed by Genrobotics, is equipped with a precision robotic arm, robotic legs, high-definition cameras, gas detection sensors, and a sealed waste management system, eliminating the need for human entry into manholes. Compact and vehicle-mounted, Bandicoot Mobility+ can reach even narrow and congested lanes, making it a suitable for India’s evolving urban landscape.
Gujarat aims to become a manual scavenging–free state, driven by its #ManholeToMachineHole initiative. Hence, the deployment of robotic machine is not just a technological upgrade but also a social and systemic reform.
“Every city that has implemented Bandicoot has quietly advanced its sanitation game,” said Arun G, Director and Co-founder of Genrobotics. “We’re proud that our technology is part of Gujarat’s long-term urban vision, and even prouder of the human impact it brings.”
CSR of Coal India
The robot has already been deployed in major cities including Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Surat. Coal India launched nine Bandicoot Robots across three Municipal Corporations in Gujarat—Gandhinagar, Surat, and Ahmedabad as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
Sanitation workers being trained to operate Robotic Machine
“Workers who once carried out high-risk manual tasks are now being upskilled to operate robots, marking a dignified shift in their roles. Now, I don’t even have to go near the manhole. The gas sensors alert us before any danger, and the sealed system means no spillage. It’s safe and life-changing,” said an ERSU sanitation worker who now operates the robotic machine from Himatnagar.
“Himatnagar, one of the many ULBs where Bandicoot Mobility+ is operational, has seen firsthand the impact of the robotic solution. It ensures the safety of our workers while improving efficiency and cleanliness,” said Upendra P. Gadhvi, Chief Officer, Himatnagar Nagarpalika.
Bandicoot robots are being deployed across India
Across India, Bandicoot has been deployed in over 300 cities across India, improving the lives of more than 3,000 sanitation workers. While Kerala was the first state to adopt Bandicoot for this purpose, other states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Haryana, Punjab and Gujarat have also started using these robots for manhole cleaning.
CSR of ONGC
ONGC has handed over Bandicoot robots to various cities, including Haridwar and Vijayawada, as part of their CSR initiatives. In Haridwar, the robot was introduced to address the challenges of sewer network management during high pilgrim visits.
The deployment of Bandicoot robots has transformed the lives of sanitation workers, providing them with safer and dignified jobs as robot operators. This initiative aligns with the government’s vision to eradicate hazardous manual scavenging and promote mechanized cleaning.
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