High-Tech Dredging Machine From Finland Set To Clean Yamuna And Najafgarh Drain

Delhi Water Minister Parvesh Verma on Wednesday (22 October) announced that a state-of-the-art dredging machine from Finland will arrive in the Capital by December to aid in the desilting and cleaning of the Yamuna and the Najafgarh drain, the Hindustan Times reported.

Sharing a demonstration video on social media, Verma said the Watermaster Classic IV dredger would strengthen Yamuna cleaning efforts and increase the river’s water-carrying capacity.

The Watermaster Classic IV is an amphibious multipurpose dredger that can operate both on land and in water up to a depth of six metres.

It performs multiple functions such as excavation, suction dredging, piling, and raking, effectively replacing several single-purpose machines.

“Cleaning of the Yamuna and Najafgarh drain that was once called the Sahibi river are the two main challenges we face. This machine will arrive in Delhi by December and we will start cleaning both these water bodies soon,” Verma said.

He added that the dredger is expected to land in India before 31 December and start operations from 1 January, with a total cost of Rs 8 crore.

With frequent flooding in recent years, the Delhi government plans to approach the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for permission to dredge parts of the Yamuna currently under environmental restrictions.

“We are preparing documentation to justify the need and ensure full compliance with environmental norms. Once permission is granted, a detailed project report will follow,” Verma said.

Powered by a turbocharged six-cylinder Caterpillar C7.1 engine, the dredger has a suction capacity of up to 600 cubic metres per hour and can discharge silt up to 1.5 km away.

Officials said the project aims to restore the river’s natural flow, improve flood resilience, and ease pressure on regulator drains.

Please click here to add Swarajya as your preferred and trusted news source on Google

Also Read: Top Army Leadership To Discuss Proposal To Raise Agniveer Retention From 25 Per Cent To 75 Per Cent: Report