Yamuna Clean-Up Goes High-Tech, Delhi Deploys Multitasking 'Harvesters'

Delhi has deployed high-tech machines in the Najafgarh Drain, one of the city's biggest pollution channels, in an effort to clean the Yamuna River at its source before the monsoon.

Two machines, designed to remove floating garbage and dense aquatic weeds simultaneously, were flagged off by Public Works, Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Parvesh Verma.

"Cleaning the Najafgarh Drain is directly linked to cleaning the Yamuna. We are now using modern, Made-in-India machines aligned with the vision of Swachh Bharat to deliver real, visible change. These dual-purpose harvesters are not just machines; they represent technology-led governance in action," Verma said.

He added that the machines are designed to remove weeds and floating waste in one go, improving water flow and reducing waterlogging.

Najafgarh Drain: The Source Of Yamuna Pollution

The drain carries untreated waste, plastic and invasive vegetation into the Yamuna, making it a major contributor to the river's pollution. Officials say cleaning it upstream could help reduce the waste flowing into the river while improving drainage across the city.

Rs 2.9 Crore Investment

Officials said the machines, powered by a 112 HP engine, can cut and remove dense vegetation such as water hyacinth along with floating trash. They have a storage capacity of about 14 cubic metres. Built for shallow waters, they use a conveyor system for continuous collection, enabling uninterrupted operations.

The machines have been procured for Rs 2.9 crore and are ready for use.

This push comes amid a broader plan to clean the Yamuna. Union Home Minister Amit Shah previously stated the river will be cleaned before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. Officials added that work is being carried out on a "war footing", with an estimated timeline of two to three years focused on stopping waste at its source.

The government says the move is aimed at preventing waterlogging as the monsoon approaches, a time when clogged drains often cause flooding in large parts of the city.