Chandigarh: Almost entire Panchkula will get covered with mechanized road sweeping as the civic body is for the first time going to expand its vehicles strength from current two to eight.
The corporation body has sent about Rs 18 crore proposal to the state government to hire six more mechanized sweeping vehicles. Currently, the corporation has its own two-night sweeping machines.
In Panchkula, category A roads, which are main sector-dividing roads, under the jurisdiction of the Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority (PMDA), have mechanized sweeping. While internal B and C roads are with the MC. They will also have mechanized sweeping now. Only those areas where vehicles cannot enter or where non-mechanized sweeping is not needed will have manual cleaning.
Municipal commissioner Vinay Kumar said the roads under corporation’s jurisdiction are divided in three sections-A, B and C. As per new norms now, along with existing mechanised sweeping on roads, now B and C roads will also be covered. Thus, Rs 18-19 cr proposal for getting six more sweeping vehicles has been sent to the state government. Sources said tender in this regard were being prepared these days. As the approval comes, tendering will be done to start the work.
There has been a concern from the residents and councillors about the lack of sanitation workers where manual cleaning is done. They have been saying that they do not get the sanctioned strength of workers in particular sectors or areas, affecting the city’s cleanliness.
Councillor Bharat Hiteshi said in his ward more sanitation workers were required. He added that it was an issue in some other wards also as there had been gaps, which needed to be filled.
The MC chief said since they were procuring more machines, so as they come, the staff will be adjusted in manual cleaning areas. He said as per the new system, overall sanitation scenario would see further improvement.
The civic body earlier had a few night sweeping machines on contract, but, later it bought two of its own and those on hire were discontinued. Now, to give more push to cleanliness and cover manual areas as well, six vehicles at one go are being procured.
