PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
The Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) is contemplating whether to take over garbage collection in 26 city wards currently managed by Econ Waste Management Company, following the possible termination of its contract soon.
The corporation is also considering whether to float new tenders to hire a fresh agency for the task. The uncertainty likely stems from repeated failures of previously hired private agencies to adhere to contractual obligations related to garbage collection and disposal. Over the years, MCD’s experience with waste management agencies has been far from satisfactory.
Ramky Enviro Engineers Limited (REEL), which was earlier responsible for waste collection in 69 wards and disposal at the Sheeshambada solid waste management and recycling plant, failed to properly carry out its duties. As a result, the plant now holds approximately four lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste, according to officials. After terminating REEL’s contract, the corporation brought in new agencies, only to terminate their contracts as well within a few months due to alleged irregularities in their operations. Watergrace Waste Management and Econ Waste Management companies were subsequently hired but Watergrace’s contract was terminated about two months ago.
The company reportedly failed to provide proper door-to-door garbage collection service and delayed payments to sanitation workers and helpers, resulting in frequent protests and disruptions to sanitation services across the city. The MCD is currently directly managing waste collection in 40 wards and has yet to issue any new tenders. Officials said that the corporation is now considering ending its contract with Econ Waste Management too, citing its alleged consistent failure to meet sanitation standards in 26 assigned wards. Besides this, the corporation has been receiving appreciation for its improved management in the 40 wards it took over a month ago.
According to Dehradun municipal commissioner Namami Bansal, “We have recently observed a decline in complaints and an overall improvement in the situation since MCD began managing these 40 wards directly. However, it is still too early to say whether the MCD can handle all the wards on its own. It has only been a month and this is by no means an easy task. Even the companies we hired earlier performed well in the beginning but maintaining that level of performance over time has always been a challenge. Delivering good work is not the problem, it is about sustaining it.”
She further stated, “We are carefully evaluating all relevant factors before making a decision. Whatever course of action we take, we will ensure that sanitation services in the city remain unaffected.”
