Jal Shakti Ministry initiative: AI-enabled tech helps clean floating garbage on Yamuna River
By Suchitra Mukherjee, New Delhi, February 27
Efforts to clean the Yamuna have gained momentum with AI-enabled machines used to clear floating garbage across a 42-km stretch of the river, according to an official of a firm engaged in the task as part of initiatives of the Jal Shakti Ministry on river-cleaning.
Deepam Sheth, CEO of Potential Engineering, said this is the first time AI-enabled machines have been used to clean the Yamuna of solid waste, plastic debris, and organic matter using Mechanised Weed Harvesters, and the results are impressive.
The Yamuna River has floating garbage and invasive aquatic vegetation. Sheth said their company is taking part in efforts to restore the river's surface quality and flow aesthetics.
"AI is being used to make important work easier and more efficient. Potential Engineering has successfully completed a 42-kilometre river surface cleanup operation on the Yamuna River, using unmanned and AI-enabled systems," he told ANI.
Sheth said the project was completed in just 45 days and reflects the power of technology in accelerating environmental restoration.
"There were challenges during the cleanliness effort with floating garbage and invasive aquatic vegetation. We are part of efforts to restore the river's surface quality and flow, aesthetics," Sheth said.
He said technologies employed include 'Unmanned Robotic Trash Skimmer', which is indigenously developed to remove floating solid waste, plastic debris, and organic matter.
"'Mechanised Weed Harvesters' worked in coordination with robotic skimmers to remove large volumes of floating weeds. Drone and AI-based pollution mapping mapped pollution hotspots, classified waste, and estimated waste volumes. A special software was deployed for the work," he said.
Sheth said the task was completed in 45 days.
He said the project has "improved river surface quality, reduced ecological stress, and demonstrated a scalable technology model for national replication".
The use of data-backed environmental management has enabled transparent monitoring and accountability," he added.
Sheth said the vision of Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil for river-cleaning has been instrumental in driving this project forward, showing "the potential of innovation, robotics, and AI in addressing large-scale environmental challenges".
"This project sets a replicable model for river rejuvenation projects across India," he added.
Patil told ANI that the ministry is working to clean the Yamuna River under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Patil added that the ministry has appointed 150 retired personnel to monitor and prevent garbage dumping in the Yamuna. The Delhi and Haryana governments are also collaborating to improve the drainage system.
"Our work is in progress, and we're committed to cleaning the Yamuna," Patil has emphasised.
The Modi government has laid special emphasis on cleaning rivers, and there is an effort to have a riverfront along the Yamuna on the lines of Sabarmati in Gujarat.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has also taken several initiatives, saying that cleaning the Yamuna is a priority for her government.
— ANI
Reader Comments
While the technology sounds great, the real challenge is stopping people and industries from dumping waste in the first place. What's the point of cleaning if we don't have strict enforcement and public awareness campaigns? The 150 retired personnel monitoring is a good step, but is it enough?
'Indigenously developed' robotic skimmer! That's what makes me proud. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳 We should support and scale up our own tech solutions for our problems. Hope Potential Engineering gets more such projects.
As someone who has lived in Delhi for 5 years, the state of the Yamuna has always been heartbreaking. This gives me genuine hope. The collaboration between the centre and state governments mentioned here is crucial. Keep it up!
The article talks about surface cleaning, which is good for aesthetics. But what about the toxic industrial effluents and sewage that mix into the water? That's the real pollution. AI mapping hotspots is a start, but the solution needs to be holistic.
Yamuna riverfront like Sabarmati? Wow! If that happens, it will completely change Delhi. Clean river, public spaces, maybe even boating? This long-term vision combined with short-term tech cleaning gives me confidence. Fingers crossed! 🤞
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.