MCD to procure super sucker machines and mechanical road sweepers to enhance drain cleaning and dust control

New Delhi: With the unclogging of drains a persistent problem, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi will procure four super sucker machines. The work order for two machines has been given while the tendering for two more will be initiated within a week.
"MCD doesn't have large drains under its purview, so those deeper than 4ft are cleaned by external agencies. However, we need our own machinery to clean the drains as and when required" said an MCD official. "These machines will also help in extreme circumstances, such as sudden rain or flooding in the city. While two machines cost less than Rs 5 crore and didn't need the approval of the standing committee, the remaining two, for which a tender will be called soon, are being bought through CSR funds."
MCD has eight super sucker machines, two of which became outdated last year. "The addition of four machines will take their number to 10, and this will be sufficient to meet the requirement of the 12 municipal zones because we don't need them too frequently in some zones such as City-Sadar and Paharganj which have a minimal number of deep drains," the official said.
MCD also plans to acquire 14 mechanical road sweepers. During the 2025-26 budget presentation, MCD commissioner Ashwani Kumar outlined plans to purchase these truck-mounted mechanical road sweeping machines equipped with dust containers. "However, the project will require the as yet unformed standing committee's approval. We started the tendering process earlier too but couldn't proceed because the standing committee hadn't been formed. Once there is clarity, we will reissue the tender notice," said an official. MCD's 52 road sweepers are operating at full capacity.
The sanitation sector received significant attention in this year's budget, with 29% of the total allocations directed towards enhancing waste collection and municipal waste processing systems. In comparison, in the 2024-25 budget, the allocation was only 25.1%.
In his budget speech, Kumar said MCD was focused on acquiring advanced equipment like mechanical road sweepers, super sucker units for desilting drains and setting up 10 more compacting stations.