MCD flags off mechanised fleet for sanitation and flood control
NEW DELHI: Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh on Thursday flagged off a new fleet of mechanised vehicles aimed at strengthening sanitation services and enhancing preparedness for monsoon-related water logging across the Capital.
The fleet, inducted by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, includes 16 backhoe loaders, two CNG-powered flood control emergency vehicles, and six mechanical road sweepers. The initiative marks the second phase of adding advanced machinery to the civic body’s operational network.
Addressing the event, Singh said the government is committed to making Delhi “clean, green and healthy,” adding that visible changes are now being seen on the ground. He expressed confidence that improved infrastructure and proactive measures would prevent severe water logging during the upcoming monsoon season.
Highlighting the growing challenge of urban flooding due to heavy rainfall, inadequate drainage and rapid urbanisation, the Mayor said the newly inducted flood control vehicles are equipped with pumps capable of removing up to 10,000 litres of water per minute. The vehicles, each costing ₹87.02 lakh, have been certified by Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and will be operated under an Operation and Maintenance model.
The six mechanical road sweepers, with a capacity of 4.5 cubic metres, are expected to enhance mechanised cleaning and help control dust pollution, while also reducing the risks faced by sanitation workers. Each unit costs ₹58.69 lakh.
Further strengthening waste management operations, 16 new backhoe loaders have been added, taking the total number to 68. These machines, fitted with multipurpose buckets, are designed to handle mixed waste efficiently and reduce manual labour.
Standing Committee Chairperson Satya Sharma said the induction represents a step towards modernising civic operations, while DEMS Committee Chairman Sandeep Kapoor emphasised that mechanisation would improve efficiency and ensure
timely civic response.
