Kochi Corporation brings new norms to ease waste transfer

Kochi: Waste removal from the city areas, which has been hit following the suspension of the agreement between the City Corporation and the contractor, will be normalized soon. In an effort to make garbage removal more effective, the civic body has introduced a couple of new norms for the new contractors. Two separate agreements have been signed for transporting waste from west Kochi and central city areas. Earlier, the rate for transporting garbage to Brahmapuram plant was more than Rs. 2600 per truckload of refuse while the new rate is per kilogram.

Two different contractors have been selected to transport organic waste and non-biodegradable waste. A steering committee meeting held on Monday approved the new norms and rates which would be submitted for the approval of the council. “Since the segregation of garbage is not proper, there are apprehensions over the selection of two contractors for removing plastic and organic waste. They might have practical difficulties,” said V.P Chandran, CPM councillor who is a member of the health standing committee.

Due to the slowdown in waste removal, heaps of garbage have started resurfacing in many parts of the city in the last couple of weeks. Once, the council approves the new norms, waste removal will be back to normal in a couple of days, according to officials in the Corporation health wing. Meanwhile, there are allegations that the local body is not utilising its own vehicles for garbage transportation. “If own trucks are used, the civic body will be able to save a handsome amount per month which can be used for development projects,” added V.P Chandran.