Ludhiana: Even as the political and administrative tussle over an ₹82 crore proposal to expand mechanical road sweeping through a private agency continues, the municipal corporation (MC) has begun operating its existing sweeping machines during daytime in select parts of the city.The civic body currently has nine mechanical sweeping machines, which have largely been deployed at night. However, elected representatives have repeatedly questioned both their usage and effectiveness, alleging that public money is being spent without visible results on the ground.Sources said the decision to operate some machines during the day is aimed at addressing these concerns and demonstrating their functioning. At present, mechanical sweeping is being carried out on a trial basis in Zones B and D, mainly on flyovers where traffic movement is relatively lighter.The machines were procured under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), under which Ludhiana has been implementing measures to curb air pollution since 2021. Mechanical sweeping was identified as a key intervention as traditional manual sweeping tends to raise dust particles, contributing to poor air quality.The MC first experimented with a single mechanical sweeper in 2021. By 2023, it had acquired more machines and spent the next year preparing for citywide deployment. Mechanical sweeping on major roads formally began in Sept 2024.Officials claim the machines currently cover around 55-56 km of roads. Each machine cost approximately Rs 55 lakh, while the civic body pays about Rs 1.10 lakh per month per machine to the operating contractor.MC officials maintain that night-time operations remain the most practical option as they minimise traffic disruption and allow more efficient cleaning. The primary objective, they say, is to reduce road dust, one of the major contributors to air pollution in the industrial city.However, sustained criticism from opposition leaders and activists over the machines’ performance has prompted the civic body to make their operations more visible.A senior official of the health branch confirmed that daytime mechanical sweeping has started in two zones on an experimental basis. “The machines are currently being operated on flyovers where traffic is comparatively less. Daytime sweeping on busy roads is difficult, so this is being taken up as a trial,” the official said.The debate over mechanised sweeping is not new. The concept was first proposed in 2016 during the SAD govt, but was shelved after the Congress came to power, with concerns over its high cost. The issue has resurfaced under the AAP govt, amid continuing political opposition to the proposal of engaging a private firm for sweeping nearly 697 km of roads across the city.
