India, Dec. 22 -- The Delhi government has planned to deploy 300 septage cleaning machines which will provide free of cost septic tank cleaning across areas which lack a sewage line, Delhi Jal Board (DJB) officials said on Sunday.

As per a government report, out of the 1,799 unauthorised colonies in the Capital, only 1,235 have sewage connections while the remaining colonies rely on septic tanks, adding to the untreated waste ending up in Yamuna. Work is currently underway in 145 areas.

A DJB official said approval for 150 large and 150 small septage cleaning machines has been granted for a period of five years during which the board will also work towards expanding the sewage cleaning system. Process to invite bids has been started and...