Jatayu machines at Gurugram lie idle due to lack of trained operators

Two Jatayu machines purchased by the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) four months ago to collect roadside garbage are currently standing idle due to a lack of trained drivers to operate them.

The Jatayu machines, mounted on four-wheelers, function like powerful vacuum cleaners. These vehicle-mounted dry and wet waste suction machines are designed to mechanically collect garbage from the roadsides and clean the area. The waste is then stored in drums attached to the machines. Each Jatayu machine has the capacity to collect a ton of garbage at a time.

Earlier this year, in June, Haryana’s then Chief Secretary, TVSN Prasad, declared a municipal solid waste exigency in Gurugram under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. This declaration highlighted the urgent need to address the rising levels of solid waste, which were severely impacting both public health and the environment. During this period, it was decided to purchase the Jatayu machines for Rs 1 crore to tackle the city’s growing garbage problem.

While the trial runs of the machines were successful, the MCG has since struggled to find trained operators to run them. As a result, the machines have remained unused and are gathering dust at the MCG office.

The MCG Additional Commissioner, Dr Balpreet Singh, stated, “The civic body has floated a tender to hire operators for two years. A similar tender was issued previously; however, no one responded to the bid. As a result, the tender was recalled and a fresh one has now been issued.”

In addition to the Jatayu machines, the MCG owns 13 mechanical road-sweeping machines, supported by an annual sanitation budget of over Rs 500 crore. Despite these resources, the city continues to struggle with widespread garbage and dust, leaving residents frustrated with the lack of cleanliness.