Sparks flew at the BBMP Council Meeting last week, with corporators taking umbrage to the BBMP’s latest tender process for solid waste management, which includes different contracts for dry, wet and sanitary waste to ensure segregation-at-source. BBMP has set up an all-party committee under the chairmanship of the Mayor, to help iron out the fine points, although this will need to be done before the tenders are decided on February 7. Time is of the essence as the model code of conduct before the general elections will kick in soon, halting tender processes for two months until they are finished, reports Aknisree Karthik
The tender to collect wet and dry waste separately has exposed the rift between elected representatives and the city administration. The recent BBMP council meeting was an explosive affair, with corporators making angry allegations as they raised their objections to some of the guidelines in the tender. Among several points, they mentioned that they had not been kept in the loop while the guidelines were being prepared.
The administration gave in and a committee has been set up under the chairmanship of the Bengaluru mayor Ms Gangambike. The committee, which includes corporators across parties, will discuss the tender guidelines and amend the ones our elected representatives feel will not be good for the city.
The tender itself has met with approval from the more conscientious citizens. For instance, a resident of Chamrajpet who segregates his garbage each day pointed out that the tender could work, although it needs awareness boosting from the BBMP and public effort, too. “The majority of us have stayed away from garbage segregation as we find the segregated waste ends up being mixed again, when pourakarmikas empty their collections into their push carts. This mixed waste also lands in autos that transport it. This destroys the very purpose of segregation at source,” said Murali.
However, if the new guidelines are brought in place, separate contractors will be appointed for wet and dry waste and there is no option of leaving mixed waste as it will simply not be picked up. Murali adds that those found littering the streets should be slapped with hefty fines also.
Civil evangelist Mr Ravichandar feels the separate collection of wet and dry wastes could work. He argues that this might work as the collection cycle for wet waste is daily, while dry waste doesn’t need to be collected more than once or twice a week. However, he points out, the value from the two streams will differ, for dry waste has scope for higher financial return. “The tender values need to reflect that,” he says.
When he is asked if people wish to live with dry waste pileups at home, Ravichandar says, “There are neighbourhoods where the dry waste cycle happens twice a week. It is a behavioural change, yes and can be difficult but citizens should do their bit.”
Ward disposal points with large bins can help cater to people who don’t want to hold onto dry waste, he says.
Tender to be finalised by Feb 7
Should dry waste collections be handed over to rag pickers? Should the tenders be limited to just one year? These are among the bones of contention for corporators, says BBMP Mayor Gangambike. Contractors have to set up infrastructure for wet waste collection. It is doubtful that they will be interested to invest in infrastructure if the tender is just one year, Ms Gangambike said and added that if the tender period is for more than two years, they may be interested to participate.
Nearly 8000 rag pickers and NGOs will be roped into collect dry waste. “We are not sure if rag-pickers will visit door-to-door for dry waste collection,” she said. “It is to fine tune guidelines like the ones mentioned, we have set up an all-party committee to finalise them,” she explained.
February 7 is the last date for the tender, however, leaving the committee with a little over 24 hours to sort out their objections. “We have to rush it because if the model code of conduct kicks in for the general elections, we will not be able to finalise any tenders for another two months, until the elections are done,” she said.
