New Delhi, Dec. 18 -- The Delhi government has approved the deployment of 32 high-capacity, specialised machines to prevent untreated waste from entering the river Yamuna. Officials said all machines will be operational between January and March, with mechanical cleaning work set to begin at the Najafgarh drain, identified as the single largest contributor to pollution in the river.

The initiative focuses on intercepting pollution at its source through large-scale mechanical desilting and the removal of sludge, solid waste and aquatic weeds from major drains before they discharge into the Yamuna. The Najafgarh drain will be taken up first, followed by other identified drains and select stretches of the river in a phased manner.

Irrigati...