NMC issues 2nd notice to garbage operator

Nagpur: Stating that media reports about mixing mud in garbage have maligned the reputation of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), a show cause notice was issued to one of the two garbage collection operators — AG Enviro Infra Projects Pvt Ltd of Thane on Wednesday. This is second show cause notice with earlier one issued on June 29.
NMC deputy commissioner (solid waste management) Dr Pradeep Dasarwar issued the notice asking the operator why stringent action should not be taken against the company.
West Nagpur MLA Vikas Thakre along with corporator Sanjay Mahakalkar and former corporator Prashant Dhawad had inspected garbage-laden trucks inside NMC’s Bhandewadi dumping yard on June 28 and found that vehicles carrying garbage to the yard had over 60% mud. This was done ostensibly to increase weight and to claim inflated amounts from the civic body. The leaders had also released video clips of truck drivers admitting to mixing mud with garbage.
Dr Dasarwar told TOI, “First notice was issued after Thakre’s allegations and complaint. Second notice was issued following media reports highlighting the irregularities,” he said.
TOI on June 29 had reported NMC clearing weight of 6-6.5 metric tonne (MT) garbage in a truck having capacity of carrying 3-4 MT only. It was also highlighted how NMC allowed these trucks inside the dumping yard for unloading the garbage ignoring the excessive weight of trucks at the weighing bridge situated at the entrance.
NMC sources said notices mentioning all irregularities are being issued to the operators seeking time-bound replies. In the event of unsatisfactory replies, their contract can be terminated as per conditions of the contract.
Taking note of Thakre’s allegations, mayor Sandip Joshi has constituted a one-member committee of additional municipal commissioner Ram Joshi to conduct an inquiry and submit report within 15 days.
Interestingly, Joshi-led five-member committee is also probing similar allegations levelled by Shiv Sena leader Nitin Tiwari against another garbage collection operator BVG India Ltd of Pune and the report is to be submitted to the standing committee.
AG Enviro is operator for zone 1-5 and BVG India for zone 6-10.