Amritsar MC passes resolution to review solid waste management firm’s working

Civic body swings into action after NGT imposed fines for poor sanitation

Charanjit Singh Teja

Updated At : 08:53 AM Aug 28, 2024 IST

A garbage collection vehicle of the private solid waste management company in Amritsar on Tuesday. Photo: Sunil Kumar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 27

Finally, the Amritsar Municipal Corporation has passed a resolution to review the working of the solid waste management firm, Averda, which will include its services like collection, transportation, processing and disposal of solid waste. The decision has been taken on the instructions of the Chief Secretary, Punjab, in the wake of an ongoing hearing in the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

A meeting was held in the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar, on August 23 in which political representatives, officials of the district administration, MC Commissioner and the Medical Officer from Health Department were present. It was decided in the meeting that a final notice will be issued to Averda company regarding the deficiencies as per the agreement. It was also decided to prepare a new detailed project report (DPR) and float a new tender for collection, transportation, processing and disposal of fresh waste. Till the time a new contract is awarded, the present firm (Averda) will continue to work and improve its operations to showcase at the time of final opportunity. A separate proposal may be floated for bio-remediation of legacy waste. MC Commissioner Harpreet Singh said as per the decision taken in the meeting, the Amritsar Municipal Corporation has passed a resolution and forwarded it to the Local Government Department for approval.

“Until the time the new work order is not issued, the MC or Punjab Municipal Infrastructure Development Company may also explore the possibility of procuring a new fleet of vehicles which will be handed over to the firm for operations purposes only. In lieu of this, the tipping fees of the firm could be reduced accordingly as per the terms and conditions of the agreement. In case, a new vendor comes after the fresh tender process, the same may be used by the new vendor,” mentioned the resolution passed by the MC.

It is worth mentioning here that the NGT had imposed heavy penalties on the civic body for poor sanitation conditions and legacy waste recently.