IMC to outsource garbage collection

After experimenting in select wards, the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) is finally moving to outsource sanitation activities on a large scale.

After experimenting in select wards, the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) is finally moving to outsource sanitation activities on a large scale.

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The Corporation has drawn up a proposal to hand over garbage collection and disposal to private parties in 20 wards located in municipal zone numbers 4 (Harsiddhi), 7 (Stadium) and 12 (Mahatma Gandhi zone).

The contractor will have to provide the required machinery and also bear the costs of labour, diesel, maintenance etc and would recoup his investment through a fixed amount paid by the IMC and by selling recyclable waste. Tenders for the contract have already been floated and the Corporation has so far received bids from four interested parties.

Rajendra Rathore, Mayor-in-Council (MiC) member in charge of IMC health department, revealed that garbage collection in seven wards each in Harsiddhi and Mahatma Gandhi zones and six in stadium zone would be handed over to private parties under the proposal. “The bids have been forwarded to the tender committee and, if cleared, will be placed before the MiC for sanction following the Commissioner’s approval.” “Although the contract duration has not been finalised we are thinking of handing over the task for a period of 15 years. A long term will help the contractor familiarise himself with an area and result in improved services,” he added.

The City generates around 400 metric tonne of municipal waste everyday of which nearly 60 per cent goes uncollected. The IMC health department has repeatedly come under attack for inefficient waste handling, especially during the recent chikungunya and dengue scare. Departmental officials, however, counter allegations of ineptitude by passing the blame on muster roll employees who are tasked with the nitty-gritty of waste collection.

“They simply refuse to lift a finger and as most of them are supporters of some leader or the other we can take no action against them,” rued a health department official.