Chennai Introduces Vacuum Machines for Cleaner Roads

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has introduced vacuum-operated garbage suction vehicles to enhance the efficiency of waste management across the city. This new initiative marks a departure from traditional manual cleaning methods, aiming to tackle urban sanitation more effectively.

On Monday, GCC rolled out 15 vacuum suction vehicles to key areas, including Tondiarpet, Royapuram, Thiru Vi Ka Nagar, Ambattur, and Anna Nagar. These zones, managed by the GCC for solid waste, will benefit from the enhanced capabilities of the new machines. Each vacuum vehicle is equipped with a 10-metre-long flexible plastic pipe, 2.5 centimetres in diameter, which is mounted on a compact van. This setup allows for easy access to hard-to-reach areas, with the pipe’s handle positioned at the 5-metre mark. The machines feature a storage capacity of two cubic metres and are powered by an engine designed for efficient waste collection. A sanitary worker highlighted the advantages of the new equipment, noting, “We used to avoid sweeping under electrical transformers, especially during the rains, due to safety concerns. These vacuum machines now allow us to clean such hazardous areas and narrow spaces more effectively.”

This deployment is part of a broader cleanliness drive by the GCC. According to the GCC Superintending Engineer (Mechanical and Quality Control), the introduction of these machines eliminates the need for workers to come into direct contact with waste, thus enhancing safety and hygiene. Originally purchased during the pandemic but previously unused, these vehicles are now being put into action. The GCC Commissioner stated that each zone will receive three of these vacuum machines. Eight vehicles have already been deployed, with the remaining units undergoing final servicing and expected to be operational by Friday.

However, there are limitations to the new equipment. The convenor of the Perambur Neighbourhood Development Forum pointed out that while the machines are effective for suction, they do not perform simultaneous sweeping and sucking of garbage. He suggested that future procurements could consider vehicles capable of both functions, similar to those used in European cities, to optimise time and resource efficiency. The introduction of these vacuum machines represents a significant step towards modernising Chennai’s waste management infrastructure, promising improved sanitation and operational efficiency across the city’s key zones.