Gangtok, Sikkim: Toyota Kirloskar Motor has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Urban Development Department, Government of Sikkim, to support the elimination of manual scavenging in the state through mechanised sewage and solid waste management solutions.
Under the initiative, Toyota Kirloskar Motor will provide sanitation equipment including suction-cum-jetting machines, robotic sewer cleaning systems, mini jetting units, manhole desilting machines, crawler-type drain cleaning machines, mini excavators, mini tippers, chain saws, rock breakers, closed-body garbage trucks and rear-end loading compactors.
The partnership is part of TKM’s corporate social responsibility commitment to support safer and more sustainable communities. It is also aligned with the Government of India’s Swachh Bharat Mission and the national objective of eliminating manual scavenging by 2030.
The MoU was exchanged in Gangtok in the presence of Bhoj Raj Rai, Hon’ble Minister for Food & Civil Supplies Department, Urban Development Department; Jitendra Singh Raje, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Urban Development Department; Yogeetha Rai, Secretary cum Principal Chief Architect, Urban Development Department; Giridhar Lal Meena, IAS, Joint Secretary (Municipal Affairs), Urban Development Department; Vikram Gulati, Country Head & Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Toyota Kirloskar Motor; Nao Uzawa, Project Vice President, External Affairs (Central) & Public Relations, Toyota Kirloskar Motor; and Sachin Sharma, Vice President, Chief Representative – East Region, Sales-Service-Used Car, Toyota Kirloskar Motor.
Sikkim’s sanitation system faces unusual pressure because of the state’s geography and climate. The state receives nearly 5,000 mm of annual rainfall and lies in high-risk seismic and landslide zones, making sewage infrastructure vulnerable to frequent disruption. Rapid urban growth and increasing daily waste generation have added to the challenge, with solid waste often entering sewage lines and affecting normal operations.
In the absence of adequate mechanised infrastructure, sanitation workers are frequently required to clean sewers and manholes manually, exposing them to dangerous conditions. Restoration work after sewage disruptions can also take several days — an eternity when a city’s drains decide to make their presence felt.
The new equipment is expected to reduce manual intervention, improve worker safety and make sewage management more efficient. According to the announcement, sewage rectification timelines are expected to come down from several days to approximately one day. The initiative also aims to completely eliminate direct human contact with sewage and waste handling operations by 2027.
Bhoj Raj Rai, Minister for Food & Civil Supplies Department, Urban Development Department said, “Sanitation infrastructure is one of the most pressing needs for Sikkim’s rapidly growing urban areas. This partnership with Toyota Kirloskar Motor will help us bring modern, mechanized solutions to our sewage management system, reduce disruptions for citizens, and most importantly, protect the dignity and safety of our sanitation workers. The Urban Development Department is committed to working closely with TKM to ensure this initiative delivers real, lasting impact.”
Vikram Gulati, Country Head & Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “Humanity is central to the values that we believe in and this initiative reflects our belief of promoting safe work environment while performing essential public services. By supporting the deployment of mechanized sewage management systems in Sikkim, we aim to contribute towards making sanitation services safer, more efficient and resilient. At Toyota Kirloskar Motor, we are pleased to partner with the Government of Sikkim in its vision of creating a manual scavenging-free state while promoting safe and sustainable livelihoods for sanitation workers.”
Beyond the immediate deployment of machines, the programme aims to create a long-term model for safe, mechanised sanitation in Sikkim. If implemented effectively, the initiative could help the state strengthen public health systems, protect sanitation workers and position itself as a model for modern sewage management in difficult terrain.
For a state known for its mountains, rainfall and environmental sensitivity, the move signals a practical shift: sanitation reform is not just about cleaner cities, but also about ensuring that those who keep them clean no longer have to risk their lives to do so.
