French firm SUEZ, which took over the operation and management of water supply in Kochi, recently deployed AI-powered inspection technology to address a blockage in the pipeline network of the Kerala Water Authority (KWA). The inspection on Friday (June 19, 2026) involved detailed examination of underground pipelines without excavation and helped resolve a blockage caused by a wooden log.
The blockage was detected in a pipeline network supplying water to the Vennala region of the city. “After the annual maintenance at the Aluva water treatment plant, we noticed that water supply to the tail-end areas of Vennala had not been fully restored. We initially replaced a section of the old pipeline, but that did not resolve the issue. It was then that we realised there could be a blockage in the pipeline,” said a senior KWA official.
Subsequently, an AI-powered robot was deployed. “This was the first such procedure in the State. The robotic camera enabled us to inspect the interior of the pipeline without cutting it open,” said the official.
A source at the French firm said the advanced robotic system enables detailed inspection of underground pipelines without excavation. The system is equipped with a high-definition Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) camera and AI-enabled analytics. According to the source, the technology can inspect pipelines with diameters ranging from 90 mm to 900 mm, helping identify hidden leakages, blockages, illegal connections, and structural defects with greater accuracy.
The French firm had signed an agreement with the KWA last year to optimise water distribution in the city. The ₹1,141.28-crore project is being funded by the Asian Development Bank.
Published – June 20, 2026 08:48 pm IST
