Bengaluru Waste Woes: Contractors Shun New Tender Offers

Efforts to augment Bengaluru's waste collection fleet have encountered a major setback as contractors have declined most work orders for newly approved tender packages. Out of 33 proposed packages to expand garbage collection with higher-capacity, GPS-enabled vehicles, only 21 were recently approved by the cabinet. However, contractors have accepted orders for just seven packages, leading to the remaining packages being re-tendered. This situation arises despite the acknowledged need for increased capacity, as the current fleet of approximately 5,300 one-tonne autos is insufficient for the city's population. The new contracts intend to deploy vehicles with an estimated three-tonne capacity, integrated with GPS for tracking waste routes.

Bengaluru development minister Krishna Byre Gowda stated that garbage collection will proceed with the existing fleet during this interim period. He emphasized the commitment to ensuring proper waste collection despite the fleet's limitations. Residents have voiced concerns regarding the inconsistent arrival times of collection vehicles. In response, Gowda urged continued waste segregation and suggested arrangements for collection workers when direct handover is not feasible. Citizens proposed incorporating smaller electric vehicles, maintaining standby vehicles for breakdowns, and exploring nighttime collection in select areas.