Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
The municipal corporation has selected Gujarat-based Western Imaginary Company (WIC) for city waste collection, and the company’s operations are expected to begin by the end of March. Prior to this, sheds are being constructed at various locations for parking, washing, and maintenance of garbage collection vehicles. Some newly elected corporators strongly opposed this process, leading to work being halted at two locations. In one case, even the municipal corporation’s contractor opposed it, causing distress to the Solid Waste Management (SWM) section.
Following the failure of Reddy Company in waste collection, the civic body opted for WIC, which has operations in Ahmedabad, Rajkot, and Vadodara cities that rank among the top ten in the country under the Swachh Bharat Mission. Over the past two months, the company conducted a survey of properties in the city and found 5 lakh properties, surprising the municipal corporation, which has records for only 3.70 lakh properties.
The company has started preparing garbage collection vehicles, and the municipal commissioner inspected a demonstration of one such vehicle on Monday. Prior to this, parking spaces for the vehicles were allotted in areas including Salim Ali Sarovar, Harsul, Ulkanagar, Central Octroi Naka, and Padegaon, where sheds have begun to be constructed. Work was halted at some locations due to opposition, and in Padegaon, a company operating the slaughter house objected. The SWM section is working to resolve these issues.
1,200 kg capacity garbage vehicles
The company has introduced fully enclosed garbage vehicles with a capacity of 1,200 kg. Collected waste will be transported to processing centers in sealed containers. The municipal corporation has mandated strict measures, including QR codes on every household and GPRS tracking for the vehicles.
One vehicle for every 1,200 households
At least one garbage vehicle (ghanta gadi) will serve every 1,200 households. If the vehicle reaches its designated point, a green signal will appear; failure to reach the point will trigger a red signal. If the driver deviates from the route, the control room will be notified and must be given an explanation. Any violation of rules will result in penalties for the company.