Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Krishna Bahadur Mahara is positive about the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC)’s plan to procure 10 broomer machines, Ishwor Poudel, chief and executive officer of the KMC, said on Saturday. 

Unveiling its 30-point immediate action plan on Friday, the metropolis announced that it would buy 10 broomer machines to clean the dusty roads of the Capital. 

According to Poudel, Finance Minister Mahara has agreed to approve the budget required to buy the machines. 

“We will submit our detailed budget plan by Sunday,” said Poudel. 

The KMC currently has one broomer machine that was purchased in 2014 in view of the Saarc Summit held in Kathmandu in November that year. 

The Department of Roads has been using four broomer machines to clean the city roads. 

The Capital roads of late are dusty due to the ongoing road-widening drive and drinking water pipeline laying works for the Melamchi water project.

There has been widespread criticism from several quarters that the authorities have failed to act to control dust emanating from the roads. Dusty roads have but added to woes of Valley denizens who are already struggling to cope with rising air pollution. New broomer machines are likely to come as a respite.