COIMBATORE: Two mechanical road sweepers that were procured by the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC) last year to remove dust and mud from roads are yet to be put to regular use. Officials cite the ongoing infra works in the city as an excuse for not deploying the trucks that were bought at the cost of Rs 50 lakh.
With several projects, such as flyover construction and pipeline installation being carried out in the city, most roads have turned into dust bowls exposing motorists and elderly pedestrians to pollution. To remove mud/sand accumulated on both sides of the roads, the civic body bought two mechanical sweepers last year. However, they remain parked on the CCMC head office premises after being used for only a few days.
A Krishna Kumar, a motorist from Kavundampalayam, told TNIE, “CCMC deployed the machines and workers to sweep roads. The machines disappeared and sanitary workers were clearing the road in the early morning hours. Recently, even they went missing, as a result fine dust hangs in the air almost throughout the day. The officials must take action soon and prevent the pollution.”
When inquired about it, a CCMC official told TNIE that the trucks can be used only in the early mornings and only on wide roads.
“The trucks should be operated at a very slow speed in order to clear the mud and other dust particles on the roads. So, they can be operated only during the early mornings and only a certain stretch of the road is covered in that given time. So it’s a bit challenging. The trucks are fully functional and are being utilised regularly”, he added.