Following pressure from councillors, BBMP Commissioner Rajneesh Goel relaxed certain conditions in the garbage tender process.
Tuesday is the last day for contractors to participate in tender process.
Speaking to reporters here on Monday, Goel said that as the previous garbage tender called in December 2011 did not meet all the criteria, he had to issue a fresh tender last week, after taking permission from the state government. Though the clauses are similar to the ones in the old tender, many new features have been added to the new tender process.
The solvency requirement has been reduced from `50 lakh per ward to `25 lakh.
“Earlier, the bidders had to own certain number of vehicles and provide details at the time of submitting tenders. Now, bidders may take vehicles on lease and furnish those details within 15 days after the tender is awarded to them,” he said.
He added that so far, only 60 solid waste management contractors were being considered to participate in tender process.
“According to the changed tender guidelines, all civil contractors, including PWD contractors, are allowed to participate in the process. With this, more than 5,000 contractors are eligible now. Earlier, the contractors’ lobby pressed hard to restrict newcomers to bid for tenders which normally resulted in inflated pricing. But with the new tender processes, I feel that there will be a level playing field for all interested bidders,” Goel said.
He said the segregation norms have been incorporated in new tender rules. Only wet waste would go to the decentralised composting units.
The contractors will have to dispose of dry waste at their level, which will also save transportation cost, he added.
Features of the New Tender Process
*If contractors fail to perform according to the contract, the BBMP can terminate their contract within 24 hours.
*Pourakarmikas must use push carts as specified by the BBMP with handbrakes and good bins. Push carts and tipper vehicles should display zone and ward numbers
*Additional shifts in commercial areas: The BBMP has identified 500 commercial areas where health inspectors will take pictures of the place twice a day—in the morning and also in the evening—and upload them on the BBMP website everyday.
*Vehicles manufactured before 2006 cannot be used. Bidders must paint their vehicles once a year.
*Penalty amount increased by five times.