India: New Dredger Arrives at Mithi River

The Mithi River will be cleaned by a new robotic multi-purpose excavator machine. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) bought the machine to use it for dredging operations in the river and major drains in the city.

According to DNA India, it was demonstrated that the machine does work equal to three other machines, JCB, Poclain and the dredger.

Vijay Golwalkar, deputy chief engineer, stormwater drains department, BMC, said: “The device was bought to modernize the BMC’s desilting mechanism. It has several advantages in comparison to the regular JCB, Poclain and other dredger machines currently used by the civic body. It can be used to lift heavy things, excavate roads and even cut trees. It is so swift that no arrangements are required to be made before operating it.”

A single person operates the excavator. The machine does not even require a crane to lift the silt and dump it on the sides of the drain.

On Thursday, the machine was used to desilt the L&T Powai pipeline in the Powai yard, along the Mithi River. This will help the city reduce the risk of floods when the monsoon season starts.

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Dredging Today Staff, April 13, 2012;