Three different robotic systems will be used for pipelines of diameters ranging from 50 mm, 250 mm and 1,000 mm, larger, major water mains, and sewer lines
CHENNAI: The Metro Water Board (CMWSSB) has decided to use robotic systems to inspect all underground water and sewer pipelines across Chennai, to avoid road cuts that cause inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians.
According to the proposal, the work involves sending robotic crawler cameras into live pipelines to check their internal condition and identify issues such as leaks, structural damage, contamination sources and faulty joints.
Three different robotic systems will be used for pipelines of diameters ranging from 50 mm, 250 mm and 1,000 mm, larger, major water mains, and sewer lines. Inspections will be carried out in stretches identified by the Board across 15 zones of the city with agencies required to document findings through digital inspection reports.
These robots are equipped with cameras and laser profiling tools to record video footage, capture images and map internal deformations along the length of the pipeline. Inspection reports will include video recordings, images and defect mapping to support follow-up action.
Gaurav Kumar, executive director, Metro Water Board, said the Board needed a way to understand what was happening inside pipelines without opening up roads. "The idea is to reduce hassle and save time in detecting the issue," he said.
The decision follows a pilot project carried out in 2023, during which robotic inspections were conducted in two phases covering about 2.5 km of pipelines.
"The exercise revealed damage in double wall corrugated (DWC) pipes made of high-density polyethylene and were replaced with cast iron (CI) pipes for better longevity in many locations.
The robotic inspections would help engineers identify problems such as leaks, improper joints, clogging and other issues inside pipelines," the executive director said, adding that several sections of the city's pipeline network were close to 40 years old, making them vulnerable to internal deterioration. "Use of technology will not just help rectify issues faster but will also aid inspections," he said.
The Metro Water Board has called a tender to engage specialised agencies for the work over a two-year period. The hired agency should also be ready with a standby robotic system to avoid interruptions in inspection work and to submit regular progress and inspection reports to Metro Water Board engineers during the contract period. Inspection teams were expected to operate for up to 10 hours a day.
According to the tender, payments under the contract would be linked to the length of pipeline inspected, with separate daily charges for operation and maintenance.