BMP may acquire closed compactors

BMP may acquire closed compactors
The Hindu

BANGALORE, JAN. 20. The trail of garbage on roads may soon be a thing of the past. Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) is planning to make use of specially designed vehicles called "closed compactors," instead of containerised autorickshaws' and open lorries to transport garbage.

The BMP's new garbage tenders, likely to be called in the next two months, will include this and many more effective conditions. The term of the present private garbage contracts awarded in June 2003 will end in June.

Highly placed sources in the BMP told The Hindu on Thursday that the BMP has started formulating new and effective tender conditions. "We have started preparations to call for new tenders. We plan to have a better system of collection and transportation this time," the sources said.

The BMP is spending Rs. 24 crores a year on the present contracts. But the new ones are likely to cost more because of the increase in diesel prices. Besides, more health wards may be included in the private contract system. Now, 187of the 224 health wards are covered by private contractors.

"At present, during transportation of garbage to the dumping yards, it spills on road as open lorries are used. To avoid this, we are planning to make use of closed compactors. Then it gets compressed, making space for more garbage and prevents spilling. Such vehicles are used in other cities, including Mumbai," a top BMP official involved in finalising the new tender conditions, said.

He said the civic body is consulting experts and environmentalists to introduce an improvised cleaning system for the city. He said: "We have realised that the collection and transportation of garbage need to be upgraded."

Asked whether the new contracts will be delayed like last time, the official said it is left to the BMP Council. "Preparations are on from our side," he said.

The award of contracts in 2003 ran into rough weather. When the term of the previous contracts ended in March 2002, the then Commissioner, M.R. Sreenivasa Murthy, wanted to invite fresh tenders and impose new tender guidelines.

But the then Mayor, K. Chandrashekar, and some corporators were keen on getting the term extended. The old contractors had even approached the Karnataka High Court, which upheld the Commissioner's stand.

Although the process is delayed by almost eight months, new two-year contracts are awarded in June 2003.