KOCHI: A private firm will start removing waste from the city starting Friday.

The Health Standing Committee of the Kochi Corporation on Thursday took a decision to this effect, said Mayor Mercy Williams.

The committee short-listed two firms for removing waste from the city and the lowest quoted rate for lifting one tonne was Rs.1,360. However, the tender was finalised at a lower rate, she said.

The contract is for six months. Six agencies had submitted tenders.

The Corporation had earlier invited tenders for the programme. But it decided to re-tender as the rate quoted by the firms were on the higher side. New tender was invited for six months.

The civic authorities will hold negotiations with the short-listed agencies for exploring the possibility of reducing the rate further.

According to an estimate, the Corporation will have to shell out Rs.2.60 lakh each day for removing the approximately 200 tonne waste that reaches the streets.

Meanwhile, the deadline fixed by the Indian Navy for permitting the Kochi Corporation to use the land in its possession for dumping the waste ended on Thursday.

With the biogas units and vermi compost units becoming operational, the garbage removal would be a smooth affair, she said.

The Health Committee had earlier decided to open ten biogas plants in the city. Jyothi Gas had won the tender for setting up the units at all the markets and abattoirs in the city.

Protest

The Congress Ernakulam Central Mandalam Committee staged a protest before the Kochi Corporation by bursting 101 firecrackers. The failure of the Corporation to remove waste from the city streets was a challenge to the city dwellers, said Antony Isaac while inaugurating the programme. Congress councillors Leno Jacob, A.B. Sabu, K.V.P. Krishnakumar, Johnson Master, Premakumar and party Mandalam president P.J. Benny were among those who took part in the agitation.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail