Delhi govt procures Finnish amphibius dredger boost Yamuna cleaning efforts

Delhi government's irrigation and flood control department has procured a special dredger from Finland to undertake large-scale dredging, desilting and cleaning operations of the Yamuna river and the Sahabi river basin.

The Amphibious Classic 4 Multipurpose Dredger has been developed with Finnish engineering. It combines high-efficiency hydraulic systems with modular attachments capable of performing operations such as backhoe excavation, raking, solid waste removal and weed extraction, apart from dredging, according to a TOI report. It has also been designed to function both on land and in water and offers a powerful and precise solution for river maintenance and flood management, a senior officer told TOI.

State minister Parvesh Verma on Thursday said the dredger's arrival marks a new beginning for the Yamuna. "It is a major milestone in our mission to rejuvenate Delhi's rivers and strengthen our flood management system. It is a direct procurement by Delhi govt, a conscious investment in advanced technology and environmental responsibility," he said.


The dredger has been acquired for Rs 8 crore and comes with a one-year warranty and six months of company-operated performance support. The equipment, expected to arrive before December, will begin operations in January 2026.

The machine works at a dredging depth of up to 6 metres and has a cutter pump discharge capacity of 600 cubic metres per hour.

It features a hydraulically driven propulsion system that allows smooth navigation and control while its quick-change modular tools, such as a suction dredging pump, backhoe bucket and raker, enable it to handle a wide range of operations efficiently.

The design makes it usable around the calendar , from pre-monsoon desilting to post-monsoon restoration, another official said. It will significantly enhance the department's capacity to clean river channels, he added.

According to Verma, the machine will help clean the Yamuna faster and more effectively than ever before. "If it yields good results, more such machines will be bought," he said.

(With TOI inputs)