NDMC chairman launches 20 litter-picking machines for ‘broom-free city’ drive

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.