The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Garbage compactor trucks to replace open lorries

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Aug 02, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Garbage compactor trucks to replace open lorries

Staff Reporter

Civic body plans to acquire 80-strong fleet to improve waste collection

NEW SYSTEM: Mayor M. Subramanian inspects the new garbage compactor truck at Ripon Building on Wednesday.

Chennai: Open garbage trucks that spill foul-smelling wastes on the roads are on their way out.

On Wednesday, the Chennai Corporation’s first garbage compactor truck was on display at the Ripon Building. Mayor M. Subramanian said that the Corporation was set to purchase 79 more trucks through a tender process.

Until now, garbage compactor trucks could be seen only in Adyar, Kodambakkam and Ice House zones where private agency CES Onyx cleared solid waste. Open trucks were operated in the other seven zones. Although it is mandatory that the garbage is covered with a net to prevent spillage, the rule is often flouted.

“Each compactor truck can carry about nine tonnes of garbage. This will improve garbage collection with fewer lorry trips,” the Mayor said. The newly-purchased truck costs Rs. 21.7 lakh . The cost of the fleet of 80 trucks is about Rs. 17.5 crore. They will operate in the zones where garbage is directly managed by the Corporation. The Corporation floated tenders for the supply of 79 compactor trucks in June. The bids will be opened in the third week of this week. Corporation workers will be trained to operate the compactor trucks, which have rear loading facilities to lift and empty garbage bins into the cabin. The switch to garbage compactors is part of the initiative to modernise solid waste management in the city. Infrastructure development at Kodungaiyur and Perungudi dumping yards to produce fuel and compost from garbage and re-mediation of old waste are some of the other measures. The Corporation will also purchase 10 tipper trucks for removal of construction debris.

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