Bihar IITian Builds Robots to Clean Sewers, Startup Valued at Rs 15 Crore

Transitioning from Campus Innovation to Urban Sanitation

Divanshu Kumar, a native of Gaya, Bihar, co-founded Solinas Integrity alongside Moinak Banerjee to replace hazardous manual scavenging with advanced robotics. Developed initially as an academic initiative at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, the enterprise has successfully transitioned into a commercial deep-tech entity focusing on water and sanitation infrastructure.

The startup has engineered specialized autonomous machines—namely the "HomoSEP" robot for manhole and septic tank cleaning, and the "Endobot" system for pipeline inspection. These units are designed to navigate narrow, hazardous underground networks, homogenize hard sludge into pumpable slurry, and minimize direct human exposure to toxic gases.

Market Impact and Strategic Expansion

The integration of these automated solutions directly addresses persistent municipal challenges across urban India, where manual cleaning of underground drainage remains legally prohibited under national mandates but continues to pose severe safety risks. By deploying these robotic systems, municipal corporations, housing societies, and private facility operators can execute rigorous sanitation tasks efficiently while maintaining compliance with health and labor safety regulations.

Industry recognition, including Kumar's inclusion in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia roster, highlights the growing commercial viability of indigenous engineering models designed for public health applications. Supported by early capital injections from impact funds such as the Neev Fund under SBI Ventures, the enterprise continues to scale its operations to meet rising urban demand.

Official Sources Section

Corporate valuations, developmental milestones, and technological specifications are derived from official disclosures published by Forbes India, regulatory portfolio updates from SBI Ventures Neev Fund, and corporate filings from Solinas Integrity.

Quote Section

"Once we got the confidence in 2021-22 that we had the right product and we were solving a real problem, we never looked back," stated Divanshu Kumar, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Solinas Integrity. "Our solution in pipeline inspection and management is not only reducing cost, minimising labour efforts but also saving water and preventing flooding in urban areas."

Why It Matters

The commercial growth of sanitation robotics bridges the gap between public policy mandates against manual scavenging and the lack of scalable mechanical alternatives. For municipal administrators and urban citizens, deploying localized robotic cleaners reduces environmental health hazards, cuts maintenance downtime, and modernizes critical civic infrastructure without endangering human lives.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Startup Valuation: Solinas Integrity has attained a market valuation estimated at Rs 15 crore.

• Core Innovations: Deployment of the HomoSEP manhole cleaner and Endobot pipeline inspection tool.

• Founding Roots: Incubated as a student project at IIT Madras by Bihar-born engineer Divanshu Kumar.

• Clientele: Primary customers include government municipal bodies, residential housing complexes, and industrial facility managers.

FAQ Section

What is the primary function of the robots developed by Solinas Integrity?

The systems are designed to inspect underground pipelines, clear blocked municipal drains, and clean hazardous manholes and septic tanks without requiring human entry.

Who founded the startup and where is it based?

The company was co-founded by IIT Madras alumni Divanshu Kumar and Moinak Banerjee, and operates out of Chennai.

How do these machines handle dense waste inside manholes?

The HomoSEP robot utilizes specialized cutting blades and a built-in suction mechanism to homogenize hard sludge into a manageable slurry that can be easily pumped out.

Who are the primary buyers of these sanitation technologies?

The startup predominantly supplies its tech-enabled equipment and maintenance services to municipal municipal corporations, public utilities, and private residential complexes.

Source: Forbes India, Niti Aayog Frontier Tech Repository, SBI Ventures