New Delhi – The national capital is set to launch an ambitious Delhi road cleaning project that will deploy electric mechanical road sweepers, litter pickers, and dust dumping vehicles to clean 2,800 kilometers of roads every day. The comprehensive masterplan submitted by the Delhi government outlines a decade-long initiative aimed at combating one of the city’s biggest pollution sources.
Financial Allocation for Delhi Road Cleaning Project
According to the masterplan, the Delhi road cleaning project will require an investment of approximately ₹1,487 crore over 10 years to keep the arterial road network clean. A senior government official explained that in May 2025, the cabinet had initially approved ₹1,230 crore for this project, under which diesel and CNG-based vehicles were to be procured.
However, the Delhi road cleaning project has been updated to exclusively use electric vehicles, demonstrating the government’s commitment to environmental sustainability. The revised plan includes procurement of 70 electric mechanical road sweepers, six electric water tankers, 24 electric dust dumping vehicles, 140 litter pickers, and other specialized machinery.
Three-Zone Division for Delhi Road Cleaning Project
The Delhi road cleaning project masterplan divides the city into three distinct zones to ensure comprehensive coverage. The North zone will receive ₹564.6 crore, making it the largest allocation, while the South zone will get ₹465 crore, and the East zone will be allocated ₹385 crore.
This strategic division in the Delhi road cleaning project ensures that resources are distributed based on the specific needs and road network density of each zone, optimizing the effectiveness of cleaning operations across the capital.
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Deployment Strategy and Coverage
The Delhi road cleaning project will focus on 1,410 kilometers of roads that are over 60 feet wide and maintained by the Public Works Department (PWD). These machines will be strategically deployed to achieve maximum efficiency in cleaning operations.
Officials involved in the Delhi road cleaning project have set an ambitious target of cleaning a minimum of 2,800 kilometers of lanes every day. This means all PWD roads will be cleaned once every two days, ensuring consistent maintenance of the city’s major arterial network.
Zone-Wise Machine Deployment
The Delhi road cleaning project includes a detailed zone-wise distribution of cleaning equipment. In the North zone, 28 electric mechanical road sweeping machines will be deployed, along with 56 litter picker machines. The South zone will receive 23 sweepers and 46 litter pickers, while the East zone will get 19 sweepers and 38 litter pickers.
Additionally, the Delhi road cleaning project will purchase 24 dust dumping machines to dispose of collected dust across all zones. This comprehensive equipment deployment ensures that each zone has adequate resources for effective road maintenance.
Electric Vehicle Focus in Delhi Road Cleaning Project
A defining feature of the Delhi road cleaning project is its exclusive use of electric vehicles to prevent additional pollution. “All machines will be electric so that they do not cause pollution,” a government official stated, emphasizing the environmental consciousness of the initiative.
The Delhi road cleaning project will implement a multi-step cleaning process where mechanical road sweepers, anti-smog guns, and water tankers will work in conjunction to ensure deep cleaning of roads. After cleaning, water will be sprinkled to ensure roads are completely clean and dust-free.
Addressing Delhi’s Dust Pollution Crisis
The Delhi road cleaning project directly addresses one of the capital’s most significant pollution sources. According to a 2018 source apportionment study by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), dust can contribute to as much as 25% of Delhi’s bad air quality.
Dust-related pollution manifests as elevated PM10 levels, and the TERI study found that potholes, unpaved roads, and broken footpaths—all of which cause road dust—were the largest source of such particles in the air. The Delhi road cleaning project specifically targets this issue through systematic cleaning operations.
Existing Infrastructure and Gaps
Currently, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) operates 52 mechanical road sweeper units that are deployed on PWD roads wider than 60 feet. A senior MCD official explained that PWD did not have its own road sweeping units, and MCD’s machinery was engaged in cleaning these roads.
The Delhi road cleaning project will fill this infrastructure gap by providing PWD with dedicated cleaning equipment, reducing dependency on MCD resources and ensuring more consistent road maintenance.
Health Impact and PM10 Concerns
The Delhi road cleaning project addresses serious health concerns associated with dust pollution. The primary pollutant in dust is PM10, which is heavier particulate matter that cannot travel far but severely affects lungs, causing various respiratory diseases.
By systematically removing dust from roads, the Delhi road cleaning project aims to significantly reduce PM10 levels in the air, potentially improving respiratory health outcomes for Delhi’s residents.
Global Tender Process
The Delhi road cleaning project will follow transparent procurement procedures with global tenders being issued for respective zones. This competitive bidding process ensures that the government obtains the best available technology and services at competitive prices.
Long-Term Vision
The 10-year timeline of the Delhi road cleaning project demonstrates a long-term commitment to maintaining the city’s road infrastructure and air quality. By investing in electric vehicles and comprehensive cleaning systems, the project positions Delhi as a leader in sustainable urban maintenance practices while addressing critical pollution challenges that have plagued the capital for years.
