‘There’s only so much a mechanised mop can do’

Road sweeper presented to DMC not finding much use on the roads of Dimapur 

Mongsentong Longkumer
Dimapur | March 27

Realising the necessity towards improving strategy and methods in cleaning the urban areas of Dimapur, which has been adjudicated among the dirtiest city twice, the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) had highlighted how lack of proper drainage, machinery, sufficient public space and other basic civic amenities have put a roadblock on carrying out their civic duties.

The incumbent DMC Administrator, Albert Ezung and former DMC chairperson, Y Vikheho Awomi have both pointed out the prevailing hurdles in interviews to The Morung Express in August of 2020. Fast-forward today, the municipal body has been newly equipped with heavy machinery in the form of a road sweeper, courtesy of the Directorate of Municipal Affairs, which first presented it to the municipal body on November 19 of last year. 

However, it turns out that there is only so much a mechanised road sweeper can do in a haphazardly grown city like Dimapur. Municipal officials claim that there are on-road challenges, which have come in the way of the machine finding optimum use.   

Marketed as the ‘LCV road sweeper machine,’ which is mounted on a light truck, it can collect only dry micro particles. It also has a sweeping capacity of 18,000 sq meters and is equipped with two side brushes. It is a wonder of a machine which could have helped in the cleaning process of the city; however officials at the DMC office have revealed that there are constraints and limitations in the functioning of the machine in an area like Dimapur. Problems such as potholes, wet surfaces (puddles) and discarded debris have come in the way of its smooth functioning on narrow uneven roads. 

“The machine can suck up dirt quite efficiently. But its main weakness is rags and other similar materials, along with wet surfaces which can jam its inner functions. If these things exist than the truck cannot properly operate,” said another official.  

Discussing in detail about the operational tasks of the truck, the official explained that the road sweeper starts its duties early at 4:30 AM. Focusing mainly on portions of the road dividers located at the main commercial centre, it finishes by 8:00 AM, before schools start. He also stated that the truck performs this task 2-3 days a week, beginning from the month of January.  

Speaking about the internal issues of the machine, it was revealed that it has not broken down once since it was put into operation. However it has met with technical difficulties from time to time. Additionally, when the official was inquired as to whether the road sweeper could be utilised in other parts of the city such as in colony roads, he mentioned that the road conditions first needed to be improved in order for the sweeper to operate. 

This is the first of a two -part series