KMC ties up with Bengaluru-based tech firm for Ganga clean up

Kolkata: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has partnered with Willowood Chemicals and a Bengaluru-based technology firm to pilot an AI-enabled river-cleaning initiative that has removed 18.5 tonnes of floating waste from the Adi Ganga, with nearly 30 per cent of the recovered material channelled for recycling.

Civic officials said the project, undertaken with KMC’s approval, deploys autonomous, fully electric marine robots to clear debris from narrow and shallow stretches of the canal. The effort is aimed at improving water flow, reducing pollution load and supporting long-term maintenance of the city’s urban waterways.

The pilot uses compact robotic vessels designed for confined channels. These machines have been operating in regular cycles to remove floating waste, including single-use plastics, thermocol and dense accumulations of water hyacinth. Officials noted that clearing such blockages helps improve oxygen exchange in the water and reduces stagnation, a factor linked to mosquito breeding. The Adi Ganga, which connects to the Hooghly river system, plays a role in the larger hydrological network of south Bengal.

Authorities said that preventing waste build-up in the canal is critical for maintaining drainage efficiency, especially ahead of the monsoon when clogged channels can heighten flood risks.

Project partners said all collected waste is segregated, with recyclable material sent to authorised facilities. The initiative also aims to generate data on waste patterns and river conditions, which can be shared with civic authorities for future planning.

Officials indicated that the pilot’s performance will be assessed for possible expansion to other canals across the city as part of a broader push for sustainable water management.