Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
The work of door-to-door garbage collection in the city will be taken up by Gujarat-based Western Imaginary Company (WIC) from March. In the Dr Salim Ali Lake area, the company has begun constructing sheds to park its vehicles. However, the company felled a few trees in the area without obtaining permission from the municipal corporation’s Tree Authority Committee (TAC). The Garden and Solid Waste Management sections of the civic body have initiated the process of imposing a penalty on the company.
At present, garbage collection in the city is being carried out by the Hyderabad-based Reddy Company. The municipal corporation has terminated its contract and entrusted the responsibility to WIC for the next 10 years. The company follows advanced methods of waste collection. Cities where the company operates feature among the top ten under the Swachh Bharat Mission rankings.
The company has started setting up sheds, washing centres and vehicle repair facilities at various locations in the city. The municipal corporation had granted permission to construct a shed in the Salim Ali Lake area. However, on Wednesday, the company cut down a few trees in the area, drawing strong objections from honorary wildlife warden and member of the TAC, Kishor Pathak.
Only one dried tree felled
Clarifying the issue, deputy commissioner (Solid Waste Management), Nandkishor Bhombe, said that the company had cut one partially dried tree. He added that prior permission from the TAC was mandatory before felling the tree. The matter has been reported to the garden section, which will proceed with imposing a fine. The company has also been warned against repeating such lapses in the future, he said.