MOHALI, June 24— The Punjab government is exploring the rollout of mechanical sweeping across all Municipal Councils in the state as part of a broader urban beautification push, Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh announced Tuesday during a trial run of sweeping machines in Kharar and Mohali.
The initiative involves deploying two categories of machines—smaller units for narrow lanes and larger vehicles for main roads—to ensure more efficient and uniform cleaning in urban areas.
“Mechanical sweeping will enhance the effectiveness of cleaning operations, especially on major roads where manual sweeping has its limitations,” Dr. Singh said during the demonstration.
To maintain cost efficiency, the government does not plan to purchase the machines outright. Instead, the sweeping services will be operated under an Operating and Maintenance (O&M) model, minimizing capital expenditure while ensuring smooth execution.
Dr. Singh also reassured existing sanitation staff that the move would not impact their employment. “There will be no loss of jobs. This is about enhancing our urban infrastructure, not replacing the workforce,” he emphasized.
Mechanical sweeping is already operational in select municipal corporations in the state, and the government now aims to expand the practice to all urban local bodies. The initiative is part of an ongoing effort to improve civic cleanliness, boost efficiency, and modernize municipal operations across Punjab.
