The Times of India 30.08.2012
Solid waste management plan yet to take off
PATNA: The problem of solid waste continues to plague Patnaites as
Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) is yet to give a no objection letter
to the newly appointed waste management companies appointed by the urban development department. The Jawaharlal Nehru
Urban Renewal Mission (JNURM) had sanctioned Rs 110 crore for
installation of a waste recycling plant but the work could not take off
due to the delay by the PMC officials.For the last couple of
years, the solid waste is being dumped at Beriah which is marked for the
purpose.
“The PMC was allotted 70 acres of land to use as dump yard and
the waste recycling plant was also supposed to be installed there. But
due to some departmental hiccups the project is delayed,” said PMC chief
engineer RK Verma.PMC sources said the state urban development
department had directed Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development
Corporation Limited ( BUDCO)
to float a global tender following which three companies – Jindal ITF
Urban Infrastructure Limited, MBM Dallah and Urshasar – had been awarded
the tender to work for the solid waste management in the state capital.
“BUDCO is entitled to charge Rs 510 against the collection of 10 tonnes
of solid garbage from the appointed company. But some PMC officials
raised objection, claiming that PMC should be the sole agency to collect
any tax for providing civic amenities. The civic body representatives
denied to give a no objection letter to the project which was supposed
to start functioning in October this year,” said the PMC official.The 72 wards under PMC generates 1000 tonnes of solid waste daily.
During the first phase, creating infrastructure for collection,
segregation, transportation and treatment of solid waste for the
production and sale of compost will be completely done by the newly
appointed companies.
After the installation of the waste treatment
plant, waste recycling will also be done by the companies concerned.The project, along with its DPR, had been presented by the companies concerned as per the guidelines of the JNURM which has stressed on public-private partnership (PPP).