The Hindu      04.04.2017 

Garbage removal to be completed in a few days

Work hit following stand-off between Corpn., contractor

The health standing committee of the Kochi Corporation will meet on April 10 to discuss the issue of garbage clearance.

Though the clearing of refuse from city streets has resumed, it may take a few more days to clear the backlog. Heaps of garbage could be seen piled up in different parts of the city following a stand-off between the Corporation and the contractor engaged for the job. The crisis was resolved after the Corporation re-engaged the contractor for collecting garbage on a temporary basis.

“The backlog will be cleared in a couple of days as garbage generated over the past 10 days is there on the streets,” said V.K. Minimol, health standing committee chairperson.

The collection and transportation of waste came to a standstill in the city after the Corporation withheld payments due to the contractor following an objection raised by the auditors.

The auditors of the local fund department had questioned the practice followed by the Corporation from 2007 regarding the number of trips operated by vehicles transporting garbage from the city areas to the solid waste treatment plant at Brahmapuram, civic officials said.

e-tendering

After the auditors raised objections, the Corporation went in for e-tendering of the work. “As technical objections were raised regarding the tender conditions, the Corporation has decided to seek a legal opinion on the matter and a pre-audit report from the auditors,” said Ms. Minimol.