The MC has decided on a budget of Rs 105 lakh for the job. The proposal is scheduled for final approval at the next MC House meeting on Wednesday.

With this, the city is all set to have four modernised laundry marts, keeping in league with cities across the world where such facilities are commonplace.

According to MC officials, the step is necessary as traditional methods of washing involve air and water pollution, wastage of water and spread of water-borne diseases.

“The dhobighats will be converted into fully automatic laundry marts. But it is yet to be decided which three of the seven city dhobighats will be modernised,” said Yogesh Gupta, MC Superintending Engineer. The dhobhighats are located in Sectors 7, 15, 19,20,22,27 and 32.

The sector 15D laundry mart — Chandigarh’s first —was set up at the cost of Rs 35 lakh and opened last month. Two huge washing machines and one coin-operated machine serve the needs of the residents and the dhobhis.

While dhobhis, who charge the market rate for washing, use the two big machines, the coin-operated machine is a big hit among the students and the residents, who have to pay just Rs 10 to wash about 15 clothes in one cycle.