GBA discloses sweeping machine costs after criticism

GBA to spend ₹613 crore on 46 sweeping machines over 7 years; annual cost per km ₹894.53 including fuel, maintenance, and EMI

The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has released detailed cost figures for its mechanical sweeping project following public criticism over expenses. The authority had earlier announced that renting 46 sweeping machines for a period of seven years would require an estimated ₹613 crore.

According to the financial breakdown, the annual cost of sweeping one kilometre of road is projected at ₹894.53. This figure includes ₹243.31 allocated for fuel, ₹104.12 for maintenance, and ₹330.85 as the equated monthly installment (EMI) for the machines. The calculations were made on the assumption that each machine would cover at least 40 kilometres of road every day.

Officials also factored in a 5% annual increase in maintenance costs, reflecting the expected wear and tear of the equipment over time. The disclosure comes amid growing debate over whether the expenditure is justified, with critics questioning the scale of investment in comparison to other civic priorities.

By making the cost structure public, the GBA aims to address concerns about transparency and accountability in urban infrastructure spending. The move is expected to spark further discussions on the efficiency of mechanised road cleaning and its long‑term financial sustainability for Bengaluru.

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