JOIN USThree-package solid waste management system in limbo
The inordinate delay in implementing the much touted three package solid waste management system in the Mangalore City Corporation limits, that intends to bring in a systematic handling of waste in the city, has raised questions over the bureaucratic alacrity in the implementation process.
Despite the State government approving the two tenders for first and second package eight months ago, the Corporation is still dilly-dallying over implementing the scheme by not giving work order to the contractor, by citing ‘technical’ reasons.
Even as the Mumbai based Anthony Waste Handling Cell Pvt Ltd which has been given the contract for the first two packages, is waiting for the work order to be issued, the MCC on the other hand, predicting delay on its part in issuing the order, has planned to extend the contract of the local contractors for further three months. The local contractors had secured bid for the existing eight package scheme in last November and the validity of the bid would expire this month end.
The three package system for SWM which was proposed by the MCC four years ago, took shape as a concrete project after crossing a lot of hurdles. The scheme was planned in accordance with the Solid Waste Management Rules 2000 and the Supreme Court guidelines. Accordingly, the first two packages comprise of door-to-door waste collection, segregation, mechanised sweeping, beach cleaning and transportaion of waste, while the third package deals with operation and maintenance of sanitary landfills in Pachanady.
The State government approved the third package tender for Delhi based IL & FS Environmental Infrastructure and Services Ltd, an year ago, following which the contractor commenced the work at Pachanady on July 1. The government approved the first and second package tender to another company in last November, but the contractor has not yet started the work due to delay in the MCC issuing the work order.
Bid validity expired
With almost no hurdles at present to issue the work order to implement the comprehensive waste management, the laxity of the officials in implementing stage is likely to prove costly. The bid validity of the company was expired in September 2012 and the extended period too has already lapsed. Further, delay would only force the contractor to withdraw from the bid or demand for a revised bid rate.
Sources said that the City Corporation is double-minded over implementing the scheme, considering the large amount of fund that the MCC is liable to give to the contractor. Though the corporation is willing to impose SWM Cess on the general public, to make up the expenditure, opposition for the same from some of the political leaders, is said to have put the bureaucrats in a fix.
When Deccan Herald contacted MCC Commissioner Ajith Kumar Hegde, he said that the three package system will be introduced soon. “The contractor has been asked to prepare mobilisation chart which they will hand over to the MCC in a week. We are hopeful of handing over the work order within a month,” he said.