Trichy corpn’s super sucker grounded without workers

Trichy: The super sucker truck inducted by Trichy corporation at 3.7 crore for clearing underground drainage (UGD) blocks has been grounded due to lack of a dedicated team to operate the vehicle. Corporation has been urged to appoint and train a dedicated team of workers to relaunch the specialised truck, especially in the aftermath of the recent rainfall that caused sporadic sewage blocks.The truck commissioned in Dec 2025 was efficient in removing sewer blocks and silts accumulated in the UGD chambers. However, locals alleged that the truck was grounded without adequate crew to handle the vehicle. Unlike normal jet rodding trucks that clean UGD sewers through pressurised water, the super sucker uses vacuum to clear the blocks, and requires an experienced workforce to operate the high-end gadgets on board. "Shortage of truck drivers and permanent sanitary workers is the main reason for grounding the truck. In place of 2,000 permanent sanitary workers employed once, the local body has only 600-odd workers now," K Suresh, CPI councillor from ward 23, said. Sources said that one of the crew members provided with specialised training to handle the truck went on medical leave, thus affecting the deployment of the truck. Corporation officials claimed that the truck was grounded without adequate workers for only 15 days. "Commissioner has instructed the health department to form a team of six sanitary workers to train them in handling the machine. They will be exclusively deployed for operating the truck," a senior corporation official said. The truck is likely to begin service by this week.UGD sewers cleaning machinery: Truck-mounted jetting rod machines: 4 Autorickshaw-mounted jetting rod machines: 4 Super sucker truck: 1 Cost: Rs3.7 crore Advantages: 1. Removes silt and stones from sewers2. Clears line blocks on major roads in a few hours3. Less or no damage to the roads