NMC bans, but operator continues to lift & mix tree debris with garbage

Nagpur: The cash-starved Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is losing more money almost on a daily basis on account of garbage collection as one of the two operators — AG Enviro Infra Projects Private Ltd — continues to violate its order of not lifting tree debris — trunks and branches of uprooted / felled trees, leaves — along with waste to prevent inflating weight.
Sources pointed out that mixing of tree trunks, branches etc with regular (wet and dry) garbage increases the total weight manifold. As the NMC pays for garbage collection on total weight basis, the civic body has been paying for the inflated weight to the operators appointed 31 months ago.
TOI has reported about various irregularities committed by AG Enviro such as mixing construction and demolition (C&D) waste, tree trunks and branches with garbage and dumping wet and dry waste on the surface layer. The operator dumping highly polluted solid waste on the surface layer is also causing more pollution.
Taking cognizance of TOI reports, municipal commissioner Radhakrishnan B, additional municipal commissioner Ram Joshi and deputy commissioner Dr Gajendra Mahalle had decided to use NMC’s machineries, vehicles and manpower to lift fallen/felled tree trunks, branches, leaves etc and prohibited the two operators from collecting this waste.
Accordingly, a fortnight ago, directions were given to all 10 zones to use JCB and tipper for the purpose. It was also decided to make an additional tipper available to carry out the work.
Even after the order, TOI on Sunday spotted a truck of AG Enviro fully loaded with tree trunk, branches and leaves. The truck reached Sahakar Nagar transfer station and unloaded it near a heap of garbage. A machine engaged to load garbage immediately lifted the trunks, branches and leaves and dumped in a truck. Later, garbage was poured over it.
Owners of shops near the transfer station told TOI that this modus operandi has been going on unhindered, despite NMC’s orders otherwise.
On the other hand, the NMC’s garden department has engaged private agencies zone-wise to lift and dispose of tree trunks and branches. Thus, the civic body is spending money on three accounts for one work.
As per the agreement executed between the NMC and operators, dumping of garbage on the surface layer is not permissible. The operators are supposed to transfer garbage from one vehicle to other. Yet, the operator has continued to dump highly polluted garbage on the surface layer at the transfer station. To prevent further pollution, the civic body spent money on construction of a cement platform though it was the responsibility of the operators.
TOI had reported about this violation many a time. However, the NMC officials continued turn a blind eye to the brazen violations. Even as a clause in the agreement allows the civic body to levy fine on daily basis for this violation, it was ignored.
Moreover, the operator has not taken any steps to prevent cattle from entering the garbage transfer station in search of food. Cattle can be seen feeding on the garbage, which is injurious to cows, buffaloes etc. due to toxicity in the vicinity.
When TOI contacted NMC officials, they assured to look into the matter and take appropriate action. Official from AG Enviro did not respond to TOI message.
Citing all these violations, the general body had decided to oust the two operators but the administration continued with the two private companies.
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IAN
*NMC engaged AG Enviro for collecting garbage from households and commercial places in zone 1-5 and transport it to Bhandewadi dumping yard
*NMC engaged the operator at a higher rate compared to earlier company
*Operator is mixing fallen/felled tree trunks, branches and leaves with garbage, violating NMC order
*This is causing financial loss to NMC as it has been paying for the inflated weight
*Garden department too has roped in private agencies for all 10 zones for the same purpose
*NMC has also engaged its own machineries, tippers and manpower for the same work
*The operator continues to dump garbage on surface layer, increasing pollution
*No steps taken to prevent entry of cattle in the garbage transfer station
*Despite all these violations, NMC has not taken any action
*Administration did not terminate contracts of two operators despite general body decision