Mangaluru: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has deployed a customised JCB-mounted cleaning attachment that can clean up to 150–200 signboards in hours on the Kundapur–Surathkal stretch of NH-66, significantly improving efficiency and reducing manual effort.
A customised JCB-mounted cleaning attachment deployed by NHAI cleans roadside kerbs along the Kundapur–Surathkal stretch of NH-66
Dirt accumulation — especially during rains — reduces signboard reflectivity as vehicle emissions mix with moisture and settle on surfaces, making them darker and harder to read. Earlier, cleaning was done manually, requiring more time and effort and posing safety risks due to the height of the signboards.Abdulla Javed Azmi, project director, NHAI Mangaluru, told TOI that the system uses attachments developed and fitted onto existing machinery. The authority, through its contract agency, has been using it for the past six to seven months. The system has shown encouraging results, with plans to extend its use to other areas in the region.Azmi said the initiative was also discussed as part of NHAI’s capacity-building efforts to reduce manpower requirements and improve safety. Signboards are cleaned once in two to three months, while kerbs are cleaned every four to five months. The frequency is increased when dirt accumulation is higher.The system sprays water with a pH value between 4 and 6 onto the surface, followed by brushing. It is mainly used for standard roadside signboards such as kilometre stones and chevron markings. Overhead cantilever signboards are not cleaned using this system, he said.Chetan Poojary, maintenance manager at Udupi Tollway Pvt Ltd, said the attachment was developed at a cost of around Rs 20,000. It comprises a brush and a DC motor mounted onto a JCB excavator’s front bucket, along with separate containers for water and foam. The detachable attachment can be mounted as needed. Only one such system is currently in use on the stretch, with limited maintenance, he said.On average, the system can clean 150 to 200 signboards in 1 hour, with each board taking roughly 15 to 20 seconds. “We can cover more boards if they are located close by one another,” he said.The stretch has an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 signboards across both sides, and the team can cover them in two to three days using the system, he added.NH-66 maintenance upgrade150–200 signboards cleaned per hour using a customised JCB-mounted attachment15–20 seconds per signboard, cutting cleaning time drastically₹20,000 attachment cost; fitted to existing JCB excavator bucket3,000–4,000 signboards on the Kundapur–Surathkal stretch covered in 2–3 daysIn use for 6–7 months, reducing manual labour and safety risks at heightsUses pH 4–6 water spray + rotating brush; cleans kilometre stones and chevron signsOnly one such system is currently deployed on the NH-66 stretch; NHAI plans wider use after encouraging results.
