NHAI and other bodies should specify that sweeping machines should be capable of dry sweeping, without the need to spray water and it should have dust filters to achieve PM10 dust emission norms, as stipulated/accepted world-wide, says Ashok Nagpal, Executive Director, TPS Infrastructure. Excerpts from the interview...

Please elaborate on the road cleaning solutions offered by TPS.
We have wide range of sweeping machine - self-propelled/ride-on type, and truck-mounted. As a pioneer and leader in industrial vacuum cleaning machines, built around positive displacement vacuum pump, we have gone a step further to offer two-in-one (vacuum-cum-sweeping) machines, which can suction spillages/materials from open drains in dry condition, and also sweep the roads.

Should SWM 2000 rules be updated to facilitate mechanical cleaning further?
We feel the concerned bodies/authority should review and update SWM 2000 rules for sweeping machines, keeping in tune with changing needs and expectations. Besides for instance, NHAI stipulates mechanised sweeping during building of roads, but it is hardly followed, as it simply states that roads should be cleaned mechanically. This broad description does not help, as even a rotary broom attached to a tractor is also considered mechanised sweeping.

So, it should be specified that the machine should be able to remove dust positively and effectively, before next layer is laid. NHAI and concerned municipal bodies should specify that sweeping machines should be capable of dry sweeping, without the need to spray water and it should have dust filters, to achieve PM10 dust emission norms, as stipulated/accepted world-wide not for sweeping during construction of road but also for its upkeep.

Who are your customers? Under which verticals, sweeping machines are fast moving?
We sell about 75 sweeping machines in a year. Our customers are steel plant, power plants, cement plants, infrastructure companies and municipal corporations. Almost 50 per cent of sales comes from civic segment. Our market share is about 95 per cent for sweeping machine, in the capacity range of 800 litre to 6,500 litre, which we cater to.

Brief us on the attachments available.
Our sweeping machines come with innovative features. We provide cabin as a standard feature for self-propelled/ride-on type sweeping machine and attachments such as water jetting system with lance and gun for truck-mounted sweeping machine. This not only helps wash the machine itself, but can also be used for street furniture, the plant structures, etc, making it a complete housekeeping solution.

Tell us about the services offered by your company to the customers. We are probably the only company in the capital equipment sector who provide services even after warranty period, even to machines, which are even 7-8 years old. We also buyback our old machines, against purchase of new machine, by clients. For SEZ, IT and township segments, the use of mechanised road sweeping machines is also expected to take-off in a big way. Such clients go for machines directly or through service providers.

To what extent are you geared up to meet the stiff completion coming from global players?
Our machines are designed, adapted and engineered to Indian work and climatic conditions. We are already competing with global players.

What was your sales performance in 2013-14? How do you expect to end this fiscal? Our turnover for the year 2013-2014 for our complete range of equipment namely industrial vacuum cleaning machines - stationary and mobile, sweeping machines, refuse compactors - stationary and mobile, sewer suction and jetting machines including heavy-duty recycler and de-silting machines - was about Rs 200 crore. We expect it to grow by 25 per cent every year.

How fuel efficient, and environment and operator-friendly are these equipment?
Our machines are fuel-efficient and environment-friendly, as these meet PM10 norms for dust emissions. Our machines are robust, rugged and operator-friendly.

We provide cabin as a standard feature for self-propelled/ride-on type sweeping machine and attachments such as water jetting system with lance and gun for truck-mounted sweeping machine.