Old contractors turn city into cesspit

[1]

Old garbage contractors of BBMP, whose contracts are expiring on November 30, have taken it easy and not collecting garbage in the city, which is choking with uncollected waste over the last two months.

The streets are not being swept and garbage is not being picked up from collection points. Bengalureans have been pointing out that if the garbage is not cleared soon, it could lead to an outbreak of epidemics.

Residents complain that even in posh areas like Indiranagar, Sadashiv­anagar, RMV 2nd stage, Jayanagar, Koramangala, and MG Road, garbage is not being cleared regularly.

The new contractors, including BVG India Pvt. Ltd. that has bagged the highest number of packages, were scheduled to take over from November 15. But they failed to submit the implementation reports as they were still in the process of acquiring machinery and employing men.

They sought extra 15 days and are scheduled to take over from December 1.

The old contractors, who are peeved with contracts not coming their way, are not taking responsibility for keeping the city clean.

These contractors, who had allegedly formed a clique in connivance with the BBMP officials, had not even bid for the new garbage contracts, presuming that no one would show interest and the Palike would have to depend on them. But to their surprise, many companies and individuals bid for the contracts, at far lower prices and won the bids.

The laxity now in collecting garbage is only to show the BBMP in poor light, a high level official with the BBMP said.

Once the implementation reports are submitted by the new contractors on December 1, the palike will analyse them and verify whether the new contractors are capable of handling the task, BBMP Commissioner Rajneesh Goel said.

“We want the new contractors to be efficient from day one and deliver better service. We hope that they would clear garbage and keep the city clean,” he said. Some officials in the BBMP speculated that the 40-odd old contractors are scuttling chances of new contractors, to continue their hold over the palike.