HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD (Mechanization of cleansing operations)

Mr Liew Kok Pun asked the Minister for National Development whether the Housing and Development Board has examined the feasibility of mechanizing the present labour-intensive method of cleaning the common corridors of its flats.

The Minister of State for National Development (Mr Lee Yock Suan) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Housing and Develop ment Board has conducted studies to evaluate the effectiveness of various types of machines to perform estate cleansing operations.

These studies have identified two major areas where mechanization can be intro duced. The first area is to mechanize the sweeping of large open spaces, such as car parks and aprons of building blocks. The other area is to mechanize the washing of void decks, building aprons, markets, food centres and bin compounds by using high-pressure washers which pump out water in a powerful fine jet spray. These machines can also be used for the washing of common corridors and staircases.

By the use of these machines, about 60% to 70% of estate cleansing operations can be mechanized. A full-scale evaluation of these machines in use is being carried out in Ghim Moh Estate. If the results are good, these machines will be used in all the other HDB estates.