The Times of India 19.06.2013
Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation’s ‘dustbin free’ plan falls short again
VISAKHAPATNAM: In yet another instance of Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) falling short of its tall promises, the civic body has once again changed its mind on the much-awaited 'dust-bin free (DBF)' programme. Top officials, who had been crowing about launching the programme in all the 72 wards of the city's six zones by July 15 at any cost, now say they will be able to roll out the project only in two zones for the time being.
At a recent media conference too GVMC commissioner MV Satyanarayana had given an assurance that the civic body was making all the arrangements to kick-start the programme from July 15.
However, when TOI made enquiries on the latest progress on the DBF on Tuesday, the officials concerned revealed that they have decided to start the programme in 33 wards falling under two zones, namely Zone-IV and Zone-V. While 18 wards (from ward number 31 to 49) come under Zone-IV, 15 wards (from ward number 50 to 65) come under Zone-V. While 1,10,637 households fall under Zone-IV, Zone-V has 95,840 households.
According to GVMC officials, the lack of funds and requisite infrastructure is the primary reason for the decision to roll out the DBF programme in a phased manner. While the corporation requires 1,510 pushcarts to handle the total 4,58,582 households in all the 72 wards, the Public Health Department (PHD) currently has only 600 pushcarts.
On the funding front, GVMC requires nearly Rs three crore to successfully launch the programme in its entirety, but it has been able to garner only Rs 75 lakh so far from the Housing Urban Development Corporation (Hudco) that donated the sum as part of its corporate social responsibility programme.
"Hudco promised to bear the entire Rs three crore cost to take up the DBF programme. Though it has initially released Rs 75 lakh, it will take at least another three to four months for the rest of the money to be released in a phased manner. So, we will have to hunt for others who can financially support the DBF. As the last option, GVMC will have to spend funds from its pocket," a senior PHD officer told TOI.
"Our superiors made commitments and tall announcements on the DBF without examining the ground realities. It is very difficult to handle the entire project in one shot, especially as about 4.5 lakh households comprising people with different attitudes and mindsets are involved," a GVMC officer from Zone-V said.
GVMC's chief medical officer PV Ramana Murthy claimed that from the beginning the plan was to kick-start DBF in only two zones from July 15 and cover the remaining zones a fortnight later. "Right now PHD has 600 pushcarts. It has already placed an order for another 600 and is yet to order another 300 carts," he said, adding that nearly 4,500 sanitary staff will be involved in the programme.
"Though GVMC has six zones, nearly 50% of the waste, both wet and dry, of about 500 metric tonnes is collected daily just from the two zones (Zone IV and V). This is the reason why we have planned to launch the DBF at the two zones for the time being," Murthy explained.
