NMC garbage Operator receiving segregated garbage from 30-40% houses, mixing it immediately

NAGPUR: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) garbage operator for zone 1-5 AG Enviro Infra Projects Private Ltd is reportedly receiving segregated garbage from 30-40 houses but mixing it immediately in its vehicles, violating the central government’s norms and the agreement executed with the civic body.
The operator has allegedly been doing this ever since its appointment 20 months ago, despite the mandate to collect and transport segregated garbage. NMC has not initiated any action against the operator yet.
TOI had reported that AG Enviro continued to mix construction and demolition (C&D) waste, and trunks and branches of uprooted trees with garbage, causing financial loss to NMC. TOI had also highlighted that the operator continued to dump garbage on the surface layer at Sahakar Nagar transfer station, causing various types of pollution and mocking the agreement. Still, the civic body has not taken any action.
As per the agreement executed between NMC and the operator, the latter must collect and transport segregated garbage. Till the beginning of December, less than 10% houses were handing over segregated garbage.
Municipal commissioner Radhakrishnan B had directed the operators not to collect and transport unsegregated garbage from December 16. As per NMC’s data, segregated garbage increased to 30-40% by the end of January.
A visit to five zones revealed that vehicles of AG Enviro were transporting mixed garbage from households to transfer stations. Garbage lying at Sahakar Nagar and Budhwari Bazaar transfer stations was also of mixed nature.
Requesting anonymity, a Sonegaon resident told TOI, “We were warned of action if we did not segregate garbage. We procured additional bins and are ensuring segregation everyday. But the staff is collecting garbage dump of two buckets in the same vehicle.”
Residents of a flat scheme in Sahakar Nagar said, “AG Enviro’s staff member has said he will not collect unsegregated garbage daily, but we have been given only one bin. We can segregate and hand it over if provided another bin and if the operator transports it in a segregated manner.”
There is a provision of daily fine for not collecting and transporting garbage in segregated manner in the agreement. But the civic body is reportedly not taking any action, despite all officials concerned being aware of the violations.
On Monday too, the operator was seen dumping garbage on surface layer at Sahakar Nagar transfer station. The same was noticed at Budhwari Bazaar transfer station. At the two places, cattle were seen consuming garbage. The operator was seen mixing branches of trees with garbage at the Sahakar Nagar, Narendra Nagar and Budhwari Bazaar transfer stations.
Officials of AG Enviro did not comment on the issue.
NMC officials assured of initiating action against the operator. “We are regularly monitoring garbage collection and transportation. We have often levied fine on the two operators for not collecting and transporting segregated garbage in the past. In case of violations, the same action will be continued,” they said.
The civic body’s officials can monitor Bhandewadi dumping yard and take action, instead of monitoring 10 transfer stations. But nobody is monitoring the process at the dumping yard.
In A Nutshell
*AG Enviro and BVG India were engaged for collection of garbage from households in zone-1-5 and 6-10, respectively, and transportation to Bhandewadi dumping yard in November 2019
*NMC roped in two operators at higher charges than the previous contractor — Kanak Resources
*Segregation of garbage at source level and transportation up to dumping yard mandatory as per central government’s norms
*NMC made it mandatory for operators to collect and transport garbage in segregated manner in agreement
*Operators failed to do so
*Civic chief directed operators not to collect unsegregated garbage
*AG Enviro seen collecting unsegregated garbage
*Operator also dumping garbage in mixed manner in vehicle and at transfer station, if given in segregated manner
*Mixed garbage being transported up to Bhandewadi dumping yard
*No action by NMC in 20 months