To eliminate manual scavenging, DJB to buy 200 cleaning machines

Last year, following the death of 10 sanitation workers in the city sewers in separate incidents in July-August, the Delhi government finally listed safety measures to be taken up wherever mechanical cleaning is not possible.

New Delhi: The Delhi Jal Board approved procurement of 200 sewer cleaning machines on Thursday in a bid to eliminate manual scavenging in the city.

Last year, following the death of 10 sanitation workers in the city sewers in separate incidents in July-August, the Delhi government finally listed safety measures to be taken up wherever mechanical cleaning is not possible.

“The board approved the deployment of specially-fabricated or tailor-made 200 sewer cleaning machines for cleaning of sewer lines in narrow streets or lanes of Delhi. After implementation of the scheme, it will be helpful in maintaining the sewer line by cleaning and maintaining through technological appliances and will eliminate the practice of manual scavenging in sewer lines. The machinery is expected to reduce the human involvement in cleaning of sewerage system to bare minimum,” a DJB release stated.

Last year, following the death of 10 sanitation workers in the city sewers in separate incidents in July-August, the Delhi government finally listed safety measures to be taken up wherever mechanical cleaning is not possible.

Lieutenant governor Anil Baijal also ordered full mechanisation of sewer cleaning in Delhi. In places where machines could not be used because of space constraints, manual labour will have to be engaged and the contractors will have to ensure the presence of senior officials to supervise the work, DJB had said.

The board on Thursday also approved the “Delhi Water Board Septage Management Regulations 2018”, the aim of these regulations is to completely eliminate the practice of manual cleaning of sewer lines and to ensure proper disposal of septage.

The 136th board meeting, under the chairmanship of Arvind Kejriwal, also took two vital decisions to help do away with the constant problem of ammonia getting mixed with raw water and thereby affecting water supply.

“An additional 2,400 mm line for raw water mains from Delhi sub-branch near Haiderpur Water Treatment Plant will be laid in order to reduce dependency on the Yamuna for raw water. The raw water from the Yamuna often gets contaminated with ammonia and disturbs the water supply in several areas of Delhi. Till the 2,400 mm line is laid, a wall is being constructed between drain no. 6 and 8 at Piao Maniyari in Sonepat to segregate industrial waste and raw water that flows through the canal to Delhi. The wall will stop ammonia getting mixed with raw water,” a DJB official said.

The DJB also approved construction of two underground reservoirs, or booster-pumping stations of 9.1 ML and 5.8 ML capacity at Bijwasan and Rajokri respectively. “No potable water supply exists in these urban villages in the southwest zone of Delhi,” a release stated.

Other important decisions included extension of deadline for levying penalty for not having rain-water harvesting systems in residential areas till June 30 throughout Delhi, decentralised waste water treatment plants and rejuvenation or development of water bodies in Burari constituency, extension of scheme of reduced rates of sewer and water development charges of unauthorised colonies till March 31, among others.