The “smart bins” equipped with screens and compartments designed for paper, glass, and plastic waste, installed at various locations to keep city’s streets clean, now stand vandalised.
Citizens speaking toO Heraldosaid they were aware of the bins but had never used them.
Sachin Ambe, Head of Solid Waste Management at CCP, said, “The bins are not called “smart bins” or anything fancy by the CCP; they’re simply referred to as “bins with fractions”. They were installed by an advertising agency based in Bengaluru in 2018, at no cost to the CCP. The bins were meant for paper, glass, plastic, or metal throwaways. It is not meant for conventional garbage. For example, if someone has a small soft drink bottle, they can dispose of it in this bin. It’s not meant for anything big.”
Ambe said, “The CCP took over maintenance after the agency handed over the bins. Unfortunately, the screens were vandalised on most bins, preventing the agency from earning any revenue. The police were informed, and a case was registered against unknown persons, but nothing came of it. While the agency did replace the screens initially, they eventually gave up. Steps were being taken to maintain the bins properly.”
The crews responsible for clearing waste from various bins across the city were also assigned to clean these fraction bins.
However, an O Heraldo inspection of six bins along the Miramar-to-casino belt at 10.30 am revealed that garbage was still present in all three compartments.
Ambe said he would check and revert. Despite repeated attempts to reach him, no response was received.
Perhaps the CCP needs to be stricter with its staff to ensure the city is kept cleaner.