Bengaluru:
In a large-scale night operation, the Bengaluru North City Corporation carried out a midnight cleaning drive on Saturday along a 7.1-km stretch of the Outer Ring Road (ORR), between Ramamurthy Nagar bridge and Veerannapalya Junction. The road had been covered with dust and debris from ongoing metro construction, prompting civic authorities to step in for an extensive clean-up.
Large-scale operation across Outer Ring Road
The drive followed a late-night inspection by Corporation Commissioner Pommala Sunil Kumar, who directed officials to deploy a significant fleet of cleaning machinery and personnel.
According to officials, the operation involved 75 auto-tippers, 16 tractors, two compactors, two jetting machines, four mechanical sweepers, and three JCBs to desilt drains and clear waste piles.
The corporation reported the removal of 28 tonnes of silt using 16 tractors, along with 18 tonnes of garbage and tree branches. Additionally, 11 bus stops along the stretch were cleaned using jetting machines to clear accumulated dust and sludge.
375 pourakarmikas deployed
The city corporation noted that 375 pourakarmikas from the Sarvagna Nagar division participated in the midnight operation.
“About 375 pourakarmikas of Sarvagna Nagar division were part of the drive,” the corporation said in its official press note. Officials added that such drives are being planned more frequently to maintain road hygiene in areas affected by construction activity.
Residents demand white-topping of service roads
While residents welcomed the effort, they urged the civic body to take up white-topping of service roads, even in short 100-metre stretches, to prevent recurring potholes.
Commuters particularly highlighted problematic zones near the Hennur police station, Ramamurthy Nagar bridge, and Kasturinagar bus stop, where rainwater stagnation and constant vehicular movement have led to rapid road deterioration.
Several citizens expressed that the clean-up, though effective, would offer only temporary relief unless the damaged stretches are structurally improved. They have appealed for long-term maintenance measures such as resurfacing and strict monitoring of metro-related debris dumping.
Focus on dust control and waste management
Officials said metro construction dust has been a major contributor to poor road and air quality along the stretch. Mechanical sweepers and water jetting machines were used overnight to settle loose dust particles. The commissioner has directed staff to carry out similar night operations on other arterial routes in the coming weeks.
The corporation also plans to review the efficiency of private contractors handling waste clearance in the Sarvagna Nagar division. Regular inspections are expected to ensure that construction agencies adhere to debris management norms.
Commitment to sustained cleanliness
Civic officials reiterated their commitment to keeping ORR and adjoining roads free from debris buildup. The midnight drive, they said, was aimed at setting an example for coordinated urban upkeep and inter-departmental cooperation.
The North City Corporation is expected to release a detailed plan for periodic cleaning along metro construction corridors to mitigate dust-related issues, particularly before the onset of winter smog conditions.