The Times of India       08.09.2014

NMC to terminate garbage treatment BOT operator

 NAGPUR:
Finally, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has decided to terminate
the services of Hanjer Biotech Energies Private Ltd, BOT operator of the
solid waste treatment plant (STP). The private company has failed to
ensure operation of the plant consistently and at full capacity,
bringing bad name for the civic body.

The civic body appears to
have got some hint of severe action being initiated by Maharashtra
Pollution Control Board (MPCB) over the problems with the STP. The final
termination notice was served to Hanjer Biotech on Saturday, before
summons from MPCB could reach NMC.

A senior NMC official told
TOI the agreement signed with Hanjer Biotech will come to an end after
one month. “Show cause notice to terminate the agreement was issued a
month ago. Hanjer Biotech is not operating the plant according to terms
and conditions of the agreement. The plant was shut down some months ago
over non-payment of power bills. National Green Tribunal (NGT) had
slapped penalty on NMC. Also, MPCB had served prosecution notice to NMC.
The process to rope in new operator will be started. Tenders will be
floated once agreement is suspended,” he said.

Confusion
prevails over whether NMC will direct the operator to continue treatment
till appointment of new operator. Process to rope in new operator will
take at least six months. There is also confusion about existing plant’s
ownership since Hanjer Biotech had constructed the plant with its own
investment, on BOT basis.

According to the summons sent by
MPCB, mayor and civic chief will have to submit a reply by September 12
and be present before member secretary Rajeev Kumar Mittal on September
15. MPCB had warned it will begin prosecution procedure against the
mayor and civic chief in case reply is not filed or found to be
unsatisfactory.

Hanjer Biotech was appointed as operator for 15
years from 2010 to treat 800 metric tonne garbage daily at Bhandewadi.
Besides, the company was supposed to dispose off the remaining garbage
in scientific manner. The company had failed to treat total garbage and
ensure regular operation of the plant.

To ensure continued
treatment of garbage, NMC had paid power bills of the company in April.
The company was requesting NMC to allow amendments in the agreement and
also to exit the agreement. NMC officials had visited the company’s
plant at Pune to think about its proposal. Looking into all aspects, NMC
has refused to let the company move out, and instead decided to suspend
the company’s services.

Failed Bot Projects

Street-light: Agreement signed with Vibrant Infotech to maintain street
lights in 2003. Agreement suspended following company’s failure in
2006-07

Shopping Malls: Unity Infraprojects was given work
order to develop shopping malls at four locations in 2006-07.
Construction started at two locations but was never completed. Agreement
for three locations was finally scrapped in 2009-10

Starbus:
Vansh Nimay Infraprojects was roped in to operate city bus service in
2007. Operator failed to run all buses or give proper service. Final
termination notice was served couple of months ago and process to
appoint new operator is underway