The Hindu                25.04.2013

Delayed GVMC’s new SWM plan to be restricted

The much-publicised decentralised solid waste management sought to be introduced by GVMC will take more time to be in place. Besides, instead of implementing it all over the city it will be restricted to selected 52 wards.

The new SWM was first proposed to be implemented in the first week of March. Later it was postponed to mid-April and an elaborate plan worked out for training and awareness campaign.

However, a final decision on the GVMC general body resolution handing over integrated solid waste management to Ramky Enviro Engineers is still awaited.

The GVMC had first thought of purchasing push-carts for collection of garbage from door-to-door with its funds. However, with the government still not deciding on handing over ISWM to Ramky, in spite of having called for tenders it has second thoughts on whether to go ahead with the plan or it as the infrastructure had to be handed over to the agency. Another key issue is the reported unwillingness of the company to absorb all the sanitation workers GVMC has now. Having considered the implications, it has been decided to seek the support of corporates under corporate social responsibility (CSR). Having reduced the number of wards for implementation, the cost has also been brought down from Rs.4 crore to Rs.2 crore. HUDCO and Visakhapatnam Port Trust have come forward to contribute for taking up the SWM besides three or four other corporates, it is reliably learnt.

Tenders have been finalised and work orders issued for buying push-carts, say sources.

When contacted, Municipal Commissioner M.V. Satyanarayana told The Hindu that due to the various constraints involved there had been a delay in launching the SWM. “The plan will be implemented. Everything will be in place in next three to four weeks and in a month we hope to launch the plan,” he adds.