Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 20

In the wake of complaints regarding the non-removal of the horticulture waste, the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation will buy 16 vehicles and recruit 18 drivers for the task.

The civic body is on its way to buy 15 tractor-trailers and one Swaraj Mazda truck for Rs115.25 lakh through GeM (Government e-Marketplace). While the drivers will cost Rs45 lakh per year to the MC, insurance and maintenance of the vehicles will be the extra expense.

The budgetary provision has already been made in the 2021-22 financial year. The matter will come up in the coming House meeting for approval. The vehicles will be used for transporting and disposing the horticulture waste lying in different parts of the city.

The MC Horticulture Wing had earlier expressed inability in providing the service in a time-bound manner. It had cited lack of machinery and manpower as reasons for not being able to manage the waste.

“Dry leaves are not being lifted by the MC. In different parts of the city, dumps of dry leaves can be spotted,” said RK Garg, president of the Second Innings’ Association.

KS Gill, president of the RWA, Sector 21-B, said: “The horticulture waste has been lying outside houses for about one to two months and in service lanes, but is not being lifted by the MC. I even sent pictures to the Commissioner through WhatsApp, but to no avail.”

“When the monsoon arrives, the waste may clog sewerage. Even service lanes in the middle of two houses may get blocked during the monsoon. The MC should have planned for their removal in advance,” he added.

Councillor Devinder Singh Babla, leader of the Opposition in the MC, said: “The horticulture waste is not being properly lifted. But it will be wastage of money to buy vehicles. They should instead be taken on rent. Despite buying them, work will not be done. Earlier, it was told this waste will be lifted twice in a week, but it has all come out to be false.”