Madurai Corporation launches gadget for removing trash in water bodies

MADURAI Madurai Corporation on Thursday launched an eco-floater to remove plastics and other forms of trash from water bodies in the city. Corporation Commissioner Gaurav Kumar and engineers from the civic body supervised the cleaning of Vandiyur Lake with the modern gadget fitted with drone cameras and AI technology. They said they received the two machines under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity from IIT-MIC, Citi Bank and Vivriti Capital at a cost of ₹12 lakh.

The machine was built by Scrapify Ecotech Private Limited, a startup unit. The officials further said the machine removed floating materials on waterbodies and would be used in Vandiyur, Sellur, Karisalkulam and Anaiyur tanks on a trial basis. The operator would monitor the cleaning operation from the shore through drone cameras fitted on the boat.

The eco-floater had the capacity to lift up to 40 kg of trash at a time. Removal of plastic materials, weeds and other waste would improve the quality of water, which could then be utilised for multiple purposes.