Govt introduces advanced sewer cleaning machine

In a significant push towards modernising Delhi’s sewer cleaning system and addressing the annual problem of waterlogging, the Delhi Government has introduced a hi-tech “recycler machine”.

Public Works Department and Water Minister Parvesh Verma oversaw the successful trial of the machine in South Delhi’s Greater Kailash area on Sunday.

Brought in from Mumbai, the machine is capable of deep and efficient sewer cleaning without the need for manual entry into the system, marking a major step towards ending manual scavenging in the national capital.

Verma said most sewer lines and drains in Delhi had not been cleaned for the last 10-20 years, which leads to severe waterlogging even during mild rainfall.

“Our goal is to deploy such state-of-the-art machines in every Assembly constituency to ensure thorough cleaning. Post-cleaning, we will also verify cleanliness through CCTV inspections,” he said.

Describing the initiative as a part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a ‘Swachh Bharat’ and upgraded urban infrastructure, Verma said the recycler machine would speed up the cleaning process while making it more precise and environmentally sustainable.

The recycler machine stands out for its unique features. It can extract both silt and dirty water simultaneously, treat the extracted water internally and reuse it for jetting, thus significantly reducing water consumption. Unlike traditional super sucker machines, it does not require separate water tankers and occupies minimal operational space, making it ideal for use in congested city areas.

Already operational in cities like Mumbai and regions of Gujarat, the Delhi Government plans to implement the machine citywide in a phased manner. The move is aimed at ensuring timely and effective sewer maintenance ahead of the monsoon season, offering relief to residents from chronic drainage and waterlogging issues.

“This is not just a technological upgrade. It is a step towards dignity and safety for sanitation workers, and a cleaner, more efficient city,” Verma said.

Delhi