The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to buy 37 high-tech machines to stop human involvement in sewage cleaning in manholes. According to the BMC, there are 3.5 lakh manholes across Mumbai. Although manual scavenging is banned, human involvement is required in some manholes that are inaccessible to machines. While 24 machines will enable cleaning sewers in compact pipes or narrow lanes with a 300 mm diameter, seven quick response machines for cleaning up quickly in case of urgent calls like a choke up, three 600 mm high capacity main sewer cleaning machines and three others for silt and sludge dewatering that will be used for cleaning septic tanks, will be purchased, a BMC official told the media.Make in Steel 202124 February Click for event info4th Indian Cement Review Conference 202117-18 March Click for event info The BMC will spend more than Rs 160 crore to buy these machines. This year, the civic body has prepared an estimated budget of Rs 275 crore for laying and widening of sewer lines. The BMC has also kept aside Rs 2,000 crore for the upgradation of existing Sewage Treatment Plants (STP). The BMC will require Rs 15,000 crore for reconstruction and upgradation of seven STPs, including Malad, Bhandup, Versova, Ghatkopar, Bandra, Dharavi, and Worli. These STPs will have a 50% sewage treating capacity collected at tertiary level, which can later be reused for non-potable purposes.Image: Many conservancy workers have lost their lives due to inhalation of toxic gases from the sewage. Also read: Mechanised scavenging to be made mandatory