As dirt piles up, Bengaluru’s civic body brings back sweeping machines

Bengaluru: The old mechanical sweeping machines, which have been lying idle in front of BBMP offices since March 1 this year, will be back in operation for a few more months. The machines had gone silent after the seven-year contract for operating them expired on Feb 28.
After multiple complaints from residents about major roads not being cleaned for a month and silt accumulating on the roadsides and blocking the drains, manual cleaning was happening on a few roads. A few pourakarmikas and other outsourced contractors were recently seen manually removing the silt from the roadsides and collecting it through trucks.
Now, BBMP has asked the same contractor to continue with the operation and maintenance of the machines until a new contract is in place.
A representative from the contract company told TOI, "BBMP has asked us to run the machines for some more months. Initially, we didn't agree for over three months, but BBMP has convinced us to go for at least six months. The money we get paid remains the same as usual."
Are machines fit to run?
Prahalad BS, chief engineer of BBMP, had previously told TOI that these machines were declared unfit to run and their repairs would cost a significant amount. The previous contract covered 25 machines — 17 self-propelled and 8 truck-mounted — that were in operation for 5-7 years.
The contractor also said none of the machines are fit to work anymore. "We want at least Rs 4 crore to Rs 6 crore to repair them. We are planning to ask BBMP for it."
According to the company, BBMP has reportedly not cleared payments for six months despite the contract's expiry and its renewal in place, citing lack of funds. The monthly billing is approximately Rs 1.2 crore. The current rate for cleaning a kilometre of road is Rs 290 for truck-mounted machines and Rs 430 for self-propelled machines, an amount the contractor argues is no longer sufficient.
Prahalad told Friday, "Following our assurance about on-time payments, the old contractor has agreed to provide O&M services for another six months. Yes, the machines need to be repaired and we have asked the contractor to take care of it and clean the streets as usual."
He added BBMP would call for fresh tender by this month end to procure new machines and have them running by Oct or Nov. "Hence, we extended the old contract to ensure roads are cleaned and maintained till then."