With 2 new operators, garbage reduces by 96-160MT/day

Nagpur: The city’s garbage collection has reduced by 96-160 metric tonne (MT) per day in the last four months, since the time the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) replaced 11-year-old operator Kanak Resources Management Limited (KRML) with two new operators — AG Enviro Infra Projects Private Ltd and BVG India Ltd. Though it is saving expenditure by Rs5 lakh per day, the civic body has started an inquiry to know the reasons behind such a drastic reduction.
The garbage collection from households was at an average of 1,255 MT per day during the tenure of KRML. The two new operators took over from KRML on November 16, 2019.
As per the NMC’s data, 13,507.03 MT garbage, which means an average of 900.46 MT per day, was collected between November 16 and 30. In initial days, the operators had struggled to ensure garbage collection from all areas of the city.
Between December 1 and 31, the collected garbage was 35,672.17 MT, an average of 1,150.71 MT per day. The figure between January 1 and 31 was 36,596.12 MT, an average of 1,180.52 MT per day.
The quantum of garbage collection reduced further in February and March. Between February 1 and 29, collected garbage was 33,219.59 MT (1,145.50 MT per day average). The quantum drastically reduced in the current month. It was 7,652 MT, an average of 1,093.14 MT per day, between March 1 and 7. This means that the average reduction in the last four months was 96-160MT per day.
During KRML’s regime, the NMC had exposed various types of scams which included inflation of quantum of garbage.
A KRML official told TOI, “The garbage quantum might have reduced as KRML used to also collect and transport construction and demolition waste. But the NMC exempted two new operators from collecting these wastes. The construction and demolition waste was over 150 MT per day. There is no issues of any irregularity on our part,” he said.
An NMC official said the exact reasons can be known only after an inquiry. “We doubt that the construction and demolition waste was over 150 MT per day. The process to appoint a new operator for collection and reuse of construction and demolition waste is going on,” he said.
The issue also raises a question mark as to where this huge quantum of construction and demolition waste is lying since last four months. As per average, such waste counts to 18,000 MT for four months.
The NMC official added that the two new operators are covering over 90% areas of the city as against 70% by KRML. “KRML had engaged 140 motorized and 550 rickshaws for garbage collection. The two new operators had roped in around 400 motorized and 150 rickshaws. Each motorized transport takes 800kg whereas each rickshaw takes 300kg. Thus, the garbage collection and transportation of two new operators is higher as compared to KRML,” he said.
If the data of past 11 years is taken into account, the quantum of garbage increases with each passing month.
The NMC is saving Rs5 lakh per day, which counts to Rs18 crore per annum. The average charges being paid to the two operators is Rs1,875 per MT. KRML used to get Rs1,436 per MT.
NMC official also said that the quantum of garbage reduced further since municipal commissioner Tukaram Mundhe visited Bhandewadi dumping on February 12, warned of stringent action in case of any irregularity and taking review on daily basis.