For years, the cleaning of the Yamuna River has been a topic of concern for every Delhiite, but the administration has just launched a game-changing initiative that might finally turn the tide. In a massive boost to the city’s flood management and river rejuvenation efforts, the Irrigation and Flood Control Department has deployed a futuristic solution right into the heart of the problem—the Najafgarh Drain. Say hello to the ‘Watermaster,’ an amphibious machine imported all the way from Finland, designed to scrub the city’s largest drain clean.
The ‘Watermaster’ Arrives: Tackling the Root of the Problem
The Najafgarh Drain has long been identified as the biggest villain in the Yamuna’s pollution story. According to Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Pravesh Sahib Singh, this single drain contributes a staggering 70 percent of the total pollution entering the Yamuna. To combat this, the government decided that manual cleaning or older technology simply wasn’t enough.
This is where the Finnish-imported Amphibian Multipurpose Dredger comes in. It is not just an excavator; it is a beast designed for difficult terrains. The government hopes that by attacking the silt and sludge at the source with this advanced machinery, the overall health of the river will see a drastic improvement.
A Technological Marvel: How Does It Work?
What makes the Watermaster stand out from the usual cranes we see around the city? Its capabilities are genuinely impressive. This amphibious dredger can operate from dry land and go straight into water up to 6 meters deep. It is equipped with a flexible excavator arm that rotates 180 degrees, allowing it to reach difficult spots with surgical precision.
Here are the specs that make it a powerhouse:
- It can remove 600 cubic meters of silt per hour.
- It doesn’t just dig; it pumps the removed silt to a location 1.5 kilometers away, ensuring the dirt doesn’t flow back in.
- It features a 600-liter backhoe bucket for heavy lifting.
- To ensure transparency and efficiency, the machine is rigged with GPS tracking and fuel sensors.
Heavy Investment for a Cleaner Future
This operation is backed by serious infrastructure and investment. The Watermaster dredger itself costs approximately ₹803.78 lakhs. But it isn’t working alone; it is supported by three self-propelled hopper barges, each costing ₹1.75 crore with a capacity of 12 cubic meters. These barges are crucial for backhoe dredging and removing floating trash and aquatic weeds that choke the river’s flow.
The government is treating this as a pilot project with high stakes. If the Watermaster delivers the expected results in the Najafgarh Drain, the Minister has confirmed that similar advanced machines will be deployed across other major drains in the capital.
What’s Next?
As the Watermaster begins its work, all eyes are on the Najafgarh Drain. If this technology succeeds in reducing the silt and pollution load by the projected margins, we could be looking at a much cleaner, healthier Yamuna in the near future. It is a bold step, and for the sake of Delhi’s lifeline, we hope it is a successful one.
Last Updated: 17 January 2026
