In a significant step towards modernizing sanitation and eradicating hazardous manual practices, Trichy has welcomed a state-of-the-art super sucker truck. Municipal Administration Minister K N Nehru officially commissioned the advanced vehicle on Saturday.
A ₹3.7 Crore Investment in Sanitation Safety
The high-capacity truck was procured by the Trichy Corporation at a cost of ₹3.7 crore. This substantial investment was made possible utilizing funds allocated under the 15th Central Finance Commission. The primary mission of this machinery is to prevent manual scavenging during the critical process of clearing obstructions in underground drainage (UGD) chambers.
Officials highlighted the limitations of the existing fleet of jet rodding trucks. These older vehicles struggle with major blockages located beyond 6 feet in depth. They often require prolonged periods to locate the exact point of blockage and can inadvertently cause damage to road surfaces during operations.
How the Super Sucker Truck Works
The newly introduced truck represents a technological leap. It operates on a powerful suction mechanism that creates a vacuum to directly remove obstacles from the sewers. An official explained that unlike the jet rod trucks, which frequently spill sewage onto roads, the new system can clear blocks without any spillage, ensuring cleaner and more hygienic operations.
Additionally, the vehicle is equipped with a high-pressure jetting pump. This pump uses pressurized water to dislodge and remove silt accumulated within the UGD system. The truck boasts an impressive storage capacity of 13,000 litres for the collected waste.
Faster Response and Strategic Deployment
The efficiency gains are expected to be substantial. "Using the super sucker truck, the time consumed to remove UGD blocks will be drastically reduced. During trial runs, the truck cleared sewage blocks in a few minutes," an official stated. Another key advantage is the reduction of human risk. While older methods required workers to place jet nozzles manually, the new truck needs no such direct human intervention at the blockage point.
For optimal use, the corporation plans to deploy this large truck in zones with wide approach roads. In narrower lanes and congested areas, the civic body will continue to use mini trucks that are mounted with jet rodding machinery to ensure comprehensive coverage across the city.
The introduction of this super sucker truck marks a concrete move towards safer, more dignified, and efficient urban sanitation management in Trichy.
