New Delhi: Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated the deployment of state-of-the-art amphibious (floating) excavator machines at Badusarai Bridge to clean Najafgarh Drain and Pankha Road Drain.
The machines, equipped with long-boom and short-boom capabilities, will remove silt, debris, and water hyacinth from drains more efficiently. This initiative aims to enhance drainage capacity and reduce waterlogging, particularly during the monsoon season, while supporting the larger mission of cleaning the Yamuna.
Rapid Cleaning for Najafgarh Drain
Najafgarh Drain is the largest drain in Delhi, carrying approximately 75% of the city’s silt in its drainage system. Estimates suggest that over 10 million metric tons of silt have accumulated in the drain over the years.
The newly deployed floating excavators can reach deep into the drain, directly removing accumulated silt and sludge, significantly speeding up the cleaning process.
- Four new amphibious machines were flagged off during the event.
- One machine had already been deployed earlier.
- Remaining machines will soon be handed over to the department.
Key Features of Amphibious Excavators
The Irrigation & Flood Control (I&FC) Department has deployed these machines at Badusarai Bridge, Kakrola, Dwarka, and Uttam Nagar, among other key locations.
Short-Boom Amphibious Excavator:
- Cost: ₹1.27 crore
- Boom Length: 6 meters
- Bucket Capacity: 0.20 cubic meters
- Engine: 65 HP
- Waste Bin: 2.25 cubic meters
- Can operate in narrow drains up to 5 meters wide
Long-Boom Amphibious Excavator:
- Cost: ₹3.15 crore
- Boom Length: 15 meters
- Bucket Capacity: 0.50 cubic meters
- Engine: 135 HP
- Can operate at depths up to 9 meters
- Effective in dry, marshy, and waterlogged conditions
Tackling Waterlogging and Enhancing Drainage
These machines are designed to work in challenging and waterlogged areas, ensuring effective removal of silt and debris that cause drain blockages and urban flooding.
By deploying modern excavators, the Delhi government aims to improve the efficiency of its drainage system, minimize monsoon waterlogging, and support sustainable urban water management.
Boosting the Yamuna Cleaning Mission
This initiative complements broader efforts to clean and rejuvenate the Yamuna River, as removing silt and water hyacinth from major drains like Najafgarh and Pankha Road reduces pollutants entering the river.
CM Rekha Gupta emphasized that the use of advanced technology will accelerate urban sanitation and drainage improvement projects, making Delhi more resilient during extreme rainfall events.
Read also: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Reviews ₹3,786 Crore Development Projects Across Capital
