l The Civic body citing manpower and logistics constraints, now decides to implement the project only in nine out of 20 wards from July 1 lA section of City fathers at the meeting, root for outsourcing the
door-to-door waste collection system to a private party for better management
TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: The Margao Municipal Council seemed to have suddenly developed cold feet in implementing the door-to-door waste collection project.
Citing manpower and logistics constraints, the Civic body has now decided to implement the project only in nine out of 20 wards, that too partially, from July 1 – the deadline set by Chief Secretary B Vijayan. The project will be implemented in all the 20 wards only after the Civic body receives the required bins and the manpower.
The Civic body also made a strong case for government approval for 200 daily wage labourers to implement the project. The Civic body has also called upon the government to grant permission to hire four trucks for the purpose.
Incidentally, a section of City Fathers rooted for outsourcing the door-to-door waste collection system to a private party for better management in view of the high cost involved in implementing the project, around Rs 8-9 crore to be precise.
At a meeting convened by Chairperson Gonzaco Rebello with GSUDA Consultant Gaurav Pokle, which was attended by most of the councillors, questions were raised about the funding of the project. After the City Fathers raised a host of queries, the GSUDA consultant said the Civic body avoid excuses and instead find a solution to overcome the teething problems associated with the implementation of the project. He told the councillors that the Civic body can start the project with the available manpower and machinery a la other municipal and panchayat bodies.
Councillors Pratima Coutinho informed that she is ready to implement the project in her ward – Colmorod, while Councillor Raju Naik said he wants the project to be implemented in the government Junta quarters at Pajifond.
The City Fathers also maintained that the Civic body should think of collecting the garbage fees only after the households get accustomed to the system.
Earlier, sanitary inspector, Viraj Arabekar said the door-to-door waste collection project would cost the Civic body around Rs 8-9 crore, including the cost of bins pegged at Rs 4.44 crore.
The Chief Officer and the GSUDA consultant later called on the District Collector, Mihir Vardhan to brief him on the decision to start the project in nine wards.
