Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Urban Development Department, Government of Sikkim, to support the elimination of manual scavenging through the deployment of mechanised sewage and solid waste management solutions across the state. The initiative is part of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme and is aimed at improving sanitation infrastructure, enhancing worker safety and promoting sustainable urban development.
The partnership aligns with the Government of India’s Swachh Bharat Mission and the national goal of eliminating manual scavenging by 2030. By introducing modern mechanised sanitation solutions, Toyota Kirloskar Motor aims to reduce hazardous manual intervention in sewage management while contributing to cleaner, safer and more sustainable communities in Sikkim.
The MoU was exchanged in the presence of Mr. Bhoj Raj Rai, Hon’ble Minister for Food & Civil Supplies Department, Urban Development Department; Mr. Jitendra Singh Raje, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Urban Development Department; Ms. Yogeetha Rai, Secretary cum Principal Chief Architect , Urban Development Department , Mr. Giridhar Lal Meena, IAS, Joint Secretary (Municipal Affairs), Urban Development Department; Mr. Vikram Gulati, Country Head & Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Ms. Nao Uzawa, Project Vice President, External Affairs (Central) & Public Relations and Mr. Sachin Sharma, Vice President, Chief Representative – East Region, Sales-Service-Used Car, Toyota Kirloskar Motor in Gangtok, Sikkim.
The state of Sikkim faces several challenges in sanitation management due to its unique geography. The state receives annual rainfall of nearly 5,000 mm and falls within high-risk seismic and landslide zones, making sewage infrastructure particularly vulnerable. Additionally, fast expansion in urban growth and increase in daily waste generation has led to a substantial amount of solid waste entering sewage lines and causing frequent disruptions. In the absence of adequate mechanized infrastructure, sanitation workers are often required to undertake manual sewer and manhole cleaning, risking their lives in unsafe conditions, with sewage restoration efforts frequently taking several days to complete.
To address these challenges, TKM will support the Urban Development Department with mechanized sewage and solid waste management equipment, including suction cum jetting machine, mini jetting machines, robotic sewer cleaning device, manhole desilting machines, drain cleaning machine- crawler type, mini excavators, vehicle- mini tipper, chain saws, rock breakers, close body garbage trucks and real end loading compactor etc. which are safer, technology-enabled, requiring minimal manual intervention, thereby protecting workers and improving service delivery. The initiative is aligned with the Government of India’s “Swachh Bharat Mission” and its national priority of eliminating manual scavenging by 2030.
The program is expected to bring measurable improvements in both sanitation management and public health. By enabling mechanized operations, sewage rectification timelines are expected to reduce from several days to approximately one day, while direct human contact with sewage and waste handling operations is targeted to be completely eliminated by 2027.
Mr. Bhoj Raj Rai, Hon’ble 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.”
Mr. 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 outcomes, the initiative seeks to create a long-term and sustainable sanitation model for the state. The program is expected to contribute towards making Sikkim a model state for safe and mechanized sanitation systems, joining the growing list of states that have successfully advanced efforts to eliminate manual scavenging while improving public health and worker safety.
