MC floats tenders for 30 new machines

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 26

Under the Smart City mission, tenders have been floated for the purchase of over 30 new machines for cleaning and desilting of sewers in the city.

According to an MC Superintending Engineer, Ludhiana Smart City Limited will purchase eight jetting-cum-suction machines and 25 desilting machines for the city.

Due to the shortage of machines, sewer men are generally forced to enter the manholes. Earlier, the MC had also planned to purchase super-suction machines, but the proposal could not be finalised for the same.

There are 95 wards under the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation. The problem of choked and overflowing sewers is common in many outer wards. Residents of areas, including Dhandari Khurd, Prem Nagar, Giaspura, Tajpur Road, Rahon Road, Bahadur Ke Road among others, have been complaining about choked sewers for a long time.

In the absence of machines in various areas, sewer men are forced to follow the traditional method of using sticks to clear choked sewers. Besides, they are also forced to enter manholes for desilting.

A worker said: “It is very difficult for sewer men to work in the absence of machines. The sewers are lying choked in various areas. To desilt sewers in routine, there is a dire need for desilting and suction machines. Not only this, super-suction machines are also needed for proper cleaning of main sewer lanes in the city.”

Sources said the MC’s operations and maintenance wing was planning to purchase new machines for a long time. Now, the machines are to be purchased under the Smart City mission.

MC’s Superintending Engineer Rajinder Singh said: “Eleven jetting machines and 8 desilting machines are already available with the civic body. Now, eight new jetting-cum-suction machines and 25 desilting machines will be purchased under the Smart City mission.”

Rajinder said these machines would be beneficial in desilting and cleaning sewers in the right manner. He said manual scavenging has already been banned. With the availability of machines, employees concerned would be able work safely, he said.

Notably, tenders were floated on Tuesday, while bids would be opened on July 16. A pre-bid meeting will be held on July 4 for the purchase of machines under the project.

Sans machines, sewer men have to enter manholes 

• There are 95 wards under Ludhiana Municipal Corporation. 
• The problem of choked and overflowing sewers is common in many outer wards. 
• Residents of Dhandari Khurd, Prem Nagar, Giaspura, Tajpur Road, Rahon Road, Bahadur Ke Road among others have been complaining about choked sewers for a long time. 
• In the absence of machines in various areas, sewer men are forced to follow the traditional method of using sticks to clear choked sewers. 
• Besides, they are also forced to enter manholes for desilting.

Factfile

Suction machine: A suction machine is used for cleaning sewer lines by sucking out dirt, dust, garbage and other impurities directly from the sewer chamber into its vacuum tank. 

Jetting machine: A jetting machine is used to clear the blockage/choking of sewer lines by high capacity jet throw of liquid that is stored in its water tank. 

Desilting machine: The desilting machine is used for the removal of silt from sewer lines.