Pune: PMC To Deploy Robots For Stormwater Drain Audits Ahead Of Monsoon
Pune: PMC To Deploy Robots For Stormwater Drain Audits Ahead Of Monsoon ( Representative Image )
Pune, June 8, 2026: In an effort to improve transparency and ensure the effectiveness of pre-monsoon drain cleaning operations, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will begin using robotic technology from June 15 to inspect stormwater drains and underground chambers across the city.
The initiative comes amid concerns over discrepancies in desilting work, with civic officials receiving complaints that some contractors reported cleaning activities as completed despite inadequate work on the ground. Several areas in Pune continue to experience waterlogging during the monsoon, raising questions about the quality and extent of maintenance carried out before the rainy season.
The decision follows a successful pilot project in which robotic equipment was used to examine 19 stormwater chambers. The technology enabled engineers to assess the internal condition of the chambers in real time, eliminating the need for manual entry and providing a more accurate evaluation of the cleaning work.
Every year, the civic administration allocates substantial funds for the cleaning of stormwater drains, chambers, and underground drainage channels ahead of the monsoon. However, inspections conducted by senior PMC officials in recent weeks reportedly revealed instances where the work was either partially completed or not carried out despite official records indicating otherwise.
To strengthen monitoring and accountability, PMC has decided to conduct surprise robotic inspections of approximately 1,500 to 2,000 stormwater chambers and underground drainage networks across different parts of the city.
According to civic officials, Pune has nearly 49,656 stormwater chambers that require regular maintenance. Robotic inspections are expected to provide visual documentation from inside the drainage system, allowing authorities to verify whether contractors have completed the assigned work and whether the cleaning meets required standards.
Officials believe the use of advanced technology will help improve oversight, reduce the possibility of false reporting, and ensure that stormwater infrastructure functions efficiently during the monsoon season, thereby reducing the risk of urban flooding and waterlogging.
