Berhampur, Aug. 9: Berhampur Municipal Corporation authorities do not think it reasonable for state-of-the-art mechanised sweeping machines to be used on city roads. Members of the civic body were recently given a demonstration of the machine.

“The concept of mechanised sweeping machine is not viable for Berhampur. The roads are not suitable for the machine,” said Akshya Kumar Mahanty, commissioner of the corporation, adding that the machines were very expensive.

Each of these machines costs about Rs 1 crore. “We may use a machine on a rental basis to clean the main roads of the city if any company agrees,” he said.

The corporation’s health officer Subhakanta Das said: “Mechanised sweeping machine will not help the Berhampur Municipal Corporation. We need at least 30 feet wide roads with cement barricade on both sides to operate a sweeping machine. As most roads in Berhampur are narrow, this machine will not help. It is not also possible to operate the sweeping machines during the rains,” he said.

The corporation has 759 sweepers and drain cleaners, including 371 regular and 388 casual staff for the 450km of roads under it. Considering national figures, which say that two sweepers are required to clean and maintain half-a-kilometre of road and drain, the civic body requires a total of 1,800 sweepers.

Ashok Shukla, counsellor of ward No. 4, however, is in favour of mechanised sweeping for Berhampur. “Dust on the roads in Berhampur is a serious problem. It is true that the machine requires a at least a 30-feet road to operate. But such machines could be used on the National Highway-217 that passes through the city,” he said.