New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) chairman Keshav Chandra on Friday flagged off 20 litter-picking machines, known as ‘gobblers’, as part of the civic body’s push to create a “broom-free city” through mechanised sanitation.
Mr. Chandra launched the machines at Palika Kendra, saying the initiative is aimed at improving efficiency, reducing manual sweeping and ensuring safer working conditions for sanitation workers. “Battery-operated gobbler machines will be deployed in markets and other high-footfall areas to enable faster, low-noise and eco-friendly cleaning. The machines will also reduce direct human contact with waste, improving hygiene standards,” an official said.
Currently, seven mechanised road sweepers cover around 350–400 km daily, supported by 10 high-pressure jetting machines for intensive cleaning.
“The mechanised road sweepers are complemented by litter-picking machines for final cleaning and by high-pressure jetting machines for dust suppression. Deep cleaning of markets, corridors, plazas, footpaths and kerb-side areas is carried out cyclically every 15 days,” a press release from the body stated. In addition, 27 wet mopping trolleys are being used for daily cleaning of market areas while 29 sweepers are deployed in colonies where machines cannot reach, it added. The NDMC has also introduced four ride-on sweepers to ensure regular cleaning of footpaths..
