BMP invites tenders for garbage clearance

BMP invites tenders for garbage clearance
The Hindu

Levy of solid waste management cess may come into force soon

# Waste management cost Rs. 24 crores to Rs. 56 crores
# February 13 is the last date to submit tenders
# Bids to be opened on February 14
# Mechanised cleaning and clearance of garbage at night in commercial areas proposed

BANGALORE: After being indecisive for seven months over awarding garbage contracts, Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) has notified tenders for "collection and transportation of municipal solid waste and street sweeping" last week.

The annual cost of garbage collection and disposal has increased from Rs. 24 crores to Rs. 56 crores this time.

The levy of solid waste management cess, which had been kept in abeyance for three years, is likely to come into force once the new contracts are awarded.

When the term of the contractors ended in June, the BMP had announced that new tenders will be called within a month.

The contractors were asked to continue cleaning activities till the new tenders are called.

As per the notification of December 9, the BMP has given a deadline of February 13 for interested contractors to apply after which the tenders will be opened on February 14.

Sale of documents

Although the BMP has announced in the notification that the sale of tender documents will begin from December 12, it is yet to start the process.

Night cleaning

Sources in BMP told The Hindu on Friday that mechanised sweeping and "night cleaning" of commercial areas are two major highlights of the new tenders.

The BMP is set to allot an exclusive package for this.

The contractor, who bags the package, will buy modern machines and deploy manpower to operate them.

"From this time, we plan to use specially designed vehicles called closed compactors, instead of containerised autorickshaws and open lorries to transport garbage.

This will prevent spilling of garbage on the roads and help in quick transportation," a top official involved in the tendering process said.

Health wards

The BMP plans to include more health wards in the private contract system.

Now, 187 of the 224 health wards are covered by 52 private contractors, who were awarded work in 62 packages in June 2003.

"With the use of closed compactors, garbage can be tipped into the lorries using machines.

Then it gets compressed, making space for more garbage and prevents spilling.

Such vehicles are used in other cities, including Mumbai," the official said.

According to sources, several corporators are trying to get garbage contracts in the names of their spouses or relatives.

"With the term of the Council ending this year, the corporators are not sure whether they will get a chance again.

Some corporators have even tried to influence Commissioner K. Jothiramalingam not to impose stricter conditions, which may be difficult to implement if the members bag the contracts," the sources added.