Delhi Government Launches High-Tech Amphibious Excavators for Yamuna Drain Cleaning Mission
In a significant push to rejuvenate the Yamuna river, the Delhi government on Friday deployed state-of-the-art amphibious excavator machines to clean the crucial Najafgarh and Pankha Road drains. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and PWD Minister Pravesh Verma officially flagged off the machines at the Badusarai Bridge along the Najafgarh drain, marking a new phase in the city's environmental efforts.
Advanced Technology for Efficient Desilting and Waste Removal
The newly introduced machines, equipped with both long-boom and short-boom variants, are specifically designed to tackle the persistent issues of silt, rubbish, and water hyacinth accumulation in Delhi's drainage systems. Chief Minister Gupta emphasized the mission-mode approach, stating, "To make the Yamuna clean and pristine, the work of cleaning drains is under way in mission mode. Equipped with modern technology, these machines are capable of swiftly removing silt, rubbish, and water hyacinth accumulated in drains and reservoirs, enabling faster and more effective cleaning than before."
She highlighted that this initiative will not only improve water flow and accelerate drain cleaning but also provide substantial relief from waterlogging in surrounding areas. The Najafgarh drain, recognized as the largest in Delhi, is responsible for carrying nearly 75% of the city's silt, making it a critical focus for the cleanup drive.
Addressing Decades of Accumulated Silt and Debris
Minister Verma detailed the impact of the modern machinery, noting that it will help remove years of accumulated silt, rubbish, and water hyacinth effectively, thereby enhancing the water flow capacity. "Delhi government is continuously working to clean the Yamuna and its connected drains using modern technology," he affirmed. This effort is expected to significantly mitigate waterlogging problems, especially during the monsoon season.
According to government estimates, more than 10 million metric tonnes of silt have built up in the Najafgarh drain alone. The amphibious excavators offer a technological leap by being able to reach the middle of the drain and remove silt directly—a task that was previously challenging with conventional equipment.
Expansion of Machine Fleet and Strategic Deployment
The deployment includes one machine that was procured earlier and four new machines flagged off on Friday, with more expected to be handed over to the department soon. These high-tech units will initially be deployed at key locations identified for desilting, such as:
- Badusarai Bridge
- Kakrola
- Dwarka
- Uttam Nagar
This strategic rollout aims to maximize efficiency and coverage in the ongoing efforts to restore the Yamuna's health and improve urban drainage infrastructure across Delhi.
