Delhi approves 70 mechanical road sweepers in Rs 923-crore pollution-control plan

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has approved a Rs 923.57-crore project to deploy 70 mechanical road-sweeping machines across the capital over the next 10 years, alongside a separate upgrade of its existing toll collection system to introduce barrier-free vehicle movement at 126 entry points.

The MCD standing committee approved the proposals at its meeting on Friday, October 30, chaired by committee chairperson Satya Sharma.

The road-sweeping project has been divided into three packages and awarded to different agencies.

Lion Services Limited will deploy 29 machines under a contract worth Rs 369.53 crore. A consortium of GA Infra Private Limited and VN Engineering Company will provide 28 machines for Rs 368.83 crore, while JS Enviro Services Private Limited will deploy the remaining 13 machines under a contract valued at Rs 185.20 crore.

Delhi-NCR to see 50% work from home and construction curbs from November 5

The agencies will also be responsible for operating and maintaining the machines for 10 years.

Smaller-capacity machines will be electric-powered, while larger machines will have the option of operating on electricity or compressed natural gas (CNG).

Separately, the committee approved upgrading the existing radio frequency identification (RFID)-based toll collection system through Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) technology.

The system will cover 126 toll collection points across Delhi and use RFID and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to identify commercial vehicles while they are moving.

Road tax and environmental compensation charges will be collected automatically without requiring vehicles to stop at toll barriers.

The proposed upgrade is intended to reduce queues at Delhi’s borders, lower vehicle idling time and help control emissions caused by stationary commercial vehicles.

The six-year toll-system project includes six months for implementation and 54 months for operation and maintenance. A minimum annual reserve price of Rs 910 crore has been recommended for road tax collection.

The standing committee also approved the installation of rainwater-harvesting systems in at least one park in every ward and recruitment for 1,066 vacant posts in the MCD public health department.

The decisions form part of the civic body’s efforts to improve road cleanliness, traffic movement and groundwater conservation.