Dehradun to become first city in northern States to launch German road sweeping machines

PURNIMA BISHT | Dehradun

The Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) is set to introduce two advanced road sweeping machines manufactured in Germany, marking a first not only for Uttarakhand but also for all northern States.

The initiative, worth Rs 6.75 crore, is aimed at strengthening the city’s sanitation system, the Dehradun municipal commissioner Namami Bansal said. She told The Pioneer that the sweeping machines will primarily be deployed on main city roads. This will allow the corporation to redirect sanitation workers and sweepers to internal lanes and residential areas, helping to address manpower challenges. She stated that worker shortages and disruptions caused by strikes or protests often hinder the cleanliness across the city, a problem the new machines are expected to ease. She said, “The corporation is procuring two machines with capacities of 3.5 cubic metres and 6.5 cubic metres. The purchase cost includes about two years of maintenance support from the German manufacturer, as well as expenses for diesel and drivers during this period.”

The Dehradun chief municipal health officer Dr Avinsah Khanna also stated that a key feature of these machines is their in-built water sprinkler system, which ensures dust-free sweeping, a significant step for improving air quality. This initiative is being implemented under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), reflecting the city’s efforts to combat rising air pollution levels.

Bansal also informed that before the official launch, the company will conduct several tests to evaluate the performance of the machines on Dehradun’s roads. The launch is expected by the end of this month. With this step, Dehradun will become the first city across northern India to deploy such German-manufactured machines, showcasing its intent to modernise urban sanitation and provide a cleaner, healthier environment for residents, Bansal said.