The second phase of the installation of surveillance cameras at waste
dump sites will be launched by next month. Proposed in the Kochi
Corporation’s 2012 budget, the `10-lakh project will see the
installation of cameras at dumping yards on roadsides, border areas of
the Corporation and abandoned properties.
The Corporation has
already requested Keltron to provide the necessary surveillance cameras,
which the state-run agency is expected to deliver by the month-end.
Initially 10 such cameras will be installed in various parts of Kochi
and the areas that lie between the border of Corporation and
neighbouring municipalities and panchayats.
“In a recent analysis,
we have noticed that the majority of the households in the city,
including residential complexes, have a systematic mode for waste
disposal. But illegal dumping is rampant mainly in areas under panchayat
and municipality limits. We are planning to focus on such areas,” said
Kochi Corporation Health Standing Committee chairman T K Ashraf. On the
basis of the footage from the surveillance cameras, the offenders will
be identified and stringent action taken against them. “We will seek the
help of the surrounding local bodies for the successful implementation
of the project. The areas where the cameras are to installed will be
finalised soon,” he said.
Swiss challenge
Meanwhile,
considering the delay in the tender procedures for setting up a new
solid waste treatment plant at Brahampuram, the government had now
issued an order to adopt the ‘Swiss Challenge’ method for implementing
the project. Swiss Challenge method is a competitive bidding process,
where no bidder will be given a predefined advantage.The submitted
proposals that are technically and financially feasible will be
published under this method. If a much better proposal is submitted
later by another agency, that will be considered and given priority.
Since the tender procedures will take at least one year’s time for
processing and allotment, the Swiss Challenge method is expected to help
in the speedy implementation of the project.
