Delhi deploys weed harvester machines at Najafgarh drain to cut pollution entering Yamuna

The Delhi government has deployed two weed harvester-cum-trash skimmer machines at the Najafgarh Drain , one of the largest sources of pollutants flowing into the Yamuna river , as part of efforts to reduce the pollution load entering the waterway.

The machines were flagged off by Water and Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh near the Punjabi Bagh bridge on Saturday. Officials said the initiative aims to intercept pollutants at the source by removing floating waste and invasive aquatic plants before they reach the Yamuna.

The two machines, procured at a cost of about ₹2.9 crore , are designed to cut, collect and remove dense aquatic vegetation such as water hyacinth while simultaneously skimming floating trash from the surface of the drain. Built on a stable catamaran design and equipped with a dual weed-cutting system , they can clear weeds and debris in a single operation, officials said.

Each harvester is powered by a 112-horsepower engine and has a storage capacity of around 14 cubic metres , enabling it to gather large volumes of vegetation and waste during cleaning operations. The mechanised system is expected to ensure continuous cleaning, improve water flow and help reduce waterlogging in parts of the city.

“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,” Singh said.

The Najafgarh drain carries untreated sewage, floating waste and invasive weeds into the Yamuna and is considered a major contributor to the river’s pollution. Authorities believe removing waste and vegetation at this stage will significantly lower the contaminant load reaching the river while also strengthening the city’s drainage and flood preparedness ahead of the monsoon .

Officials said the deployment is part of a broader technology-driven Yamuna cleaning drive , which includes mechanised desilting and the use of advanced equipment to manage waste and restore water flow in major drains across Delhi.