India, July 13 -- The New Delhi Municipal Council's (NDMC) push towards mechanised sanitation has produced contrasting results across the Capital, with field visits revealing a clear divide between the implementation of battery-operated gobbler machines in Connaught Place and the earlier mechanised cleaning initiative in Kaka Nagar. In Kaka Nagar, NDMC had projected the colony as Delhi's first fully mechanised cleaning model. However, sanitation workers claimed manual sweeping continued to be the primary mode of cleaning. Workers alleged that the machines were slow, unsuitable for uneven roads and tiled surfaces, and often required manual cleaning before they could be operated. Also Read - Vinod Nagar: Constable shoots wife dead on her birthday, flees A follow-up visit to Connaught Place, however, presented a different picture. Sanitation worker Sameer, who has been operating the battery-powered gobbler machine for nearly two months, said he had become accustomed to the equipment and described it as effective for cleaning markets. The machine, equipped with a vacuum system, rotating brush and water tanks, is currently deployed across the Inner and Outer Circle. While workers acknowledged that the machines have not reduced their workload significantly, they appreciated the technological upgrade. "The working hours remain the same because a lot of waste still has to be collected manually," said sanitation worker Sandeep. Other workers highlighted regular maintenance schedules, multiple cleaning shifts and prompt administrative support. Street vendors and local visitors also credited NDMC's continuous monitoring and disciplined cleaning schedule for improving hygiene standards in Connaught Place. The comparison suggests that while mechanisation can enhance urban sanitation, its success depends on practical deployment, appropriate infrastructure and sustained operational support rather than symbolic implementation alone.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.