The machine has two gas sensors which will help other workers, monitoring the situation outside, to know if the proportion of harmful gases is high
Looking at the difficulties faced by sewage cleaning workers on a daily basis, a city-based class 12 student has come up with an innovative idea to come to the rescue of these conservancy workers. 17-year-old Kevin Thakkar, a resident of Bandra, has developed a portable machine to help workers, who go underground for desilting purposes, breathe fresh air.
Talking about the features of the machine, Thakkar said, "The machine is built in such a way that it releases fresh air amid the harmful gases. The machine also has two gas sensors which will help other workers, monitoring the situation outside, to know if the proportion of harmful gases is high. This way the workers can immediately be pulled out and won't have to risk their lives. Since it is light in weight, it can easily be shifted from one place to another and is also equipped with lights."
Thakkar, a student of The Cathedral and John Connon School, Fort, added, "These workers venture into these drains with just a rope. While they are inside the sewage manholes, they have to suffer from harmful gases, breathlessness, less amount of light to name a few. Most of these workers also suffer from tuberculosis due to the kind of work they do. To resolve the problems they face, I spent time with them and understood the challenges they face.I thought of coming up with a solution after realising their plight."
The teenager managed to put this machine together with the help from H-West ward of BMC. The machine has already undergone trials and Thakkar is working on upgrading it further.
Two years ago, Thakkar had developed a robot which could help in desilting. However, after a trial with the BMC, he realised that a robot was not the ideal solution. According to Thakkar, minimum 12 such machines are required by the BMC to operate in four major zones.
HI-TECH
- Kevin Thakkar, a resident of Bandra, has developed a portable machine to help workers, who go underground for desilting purposes, breathe fresh air.
- He managed to put this machine together with the help from H-West ward of BMC. At least12 such machines are required to operate in four major zones.
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 "Kevin Thakkar")
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