In a renewed push to clean the Yamuna river, Delhi authorities have deployed a high-tech amphibious dredging machine imported from Finland to address pollution at the Najafgarh drain, the single largest contributor to contamination in the river. Officials estimate that the drain accounts for nearly 70 per cent of the total pollution load entering the Yamuna in the national capital.
As part of the ongoing clean-up drive, mechanical desilting and waste removal operations have been intensified using the ₹8-crore machine, which is capable of operating both on land and in water. The amphibious dredger is designed to remove deep-seated sludge, accumulated silt, and floating waste that conventional equipment struggles to handle, particularly in narrow and congested drains.
Officials said the Finnish-made machine has been deployed specifically to deal with hard-to-reach sections of the Najafgarh drain, where years of untreated sewage and industrial discharge have resulted in thick layers of toxic sludge. The equipment’s advanced cutting and suction system allows it to function efficiently without disrupting nearby infrastructure.
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The Najafgarh drain has long been identified as the most critical pollution hotspot along the Yamuna’s Delhi stretch. Environmental experts have repeatedly flagged that without addressing pollution at this source, large-scale river rejuvenation efforts would remain ineffective, regardless of downstream cleaning measures.
Authorities involved in the project said the deployment of specialised machinery marks a shift toward technology-driven solutions in river-cleaning efforts. Alongside mechanical cleaning, the government has also been working on sewage interception, treatment upgrades, and monitoring of illegal discharges into drains feeding the Yamuna.
Despite repeated clean-up campaigns over the years, the Yamuna continues to suffer from high levels of pollution, especially within Delhi. Officials maintain that sustained intervention, combined with modern equipment and strict enforcement, is essential to achieving long-term improvements in the river’s water quality.
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