Hinting at invoking option of appointing a third operator for door-to-door garbage collection, Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Dr Abhijeet Chaudhari virtually put the current two operators on notice in case their performance does not improve. Admitting to shortcoming in meeting the expectations of citizens, Municipal Commissioner said, better monitoring is the key element. Any amount of action would only provide temporary respite, unless the system improves, ensures norms are fulfilled and monitoring is improved results would then only be visible, said the Commissioner while interacting with mediapersons on Monday at NMC Headquarters in Civil Lines. Garbage lifting needs some intervention and to address the situation NMC on its own purchased vehicles for filling the gaps. Now inspite of such measures if citizens are still not getting desired service as to lifting of garbage, for NMC then there is option of looking out for third agency.

 

For the same both operators, M/s Enviro and M/s BVG would see curtailment of their operational areas to accommodate the third player. But Commissioner said it's better this day does not arise as it would not be beneficial either for the operators nor for the NMC. Fielding queries on various topics as to civic governance, Dr Chaudhari said while problems would remain, the emphasis is on strengthening the organisation by overcoming the shortcomings. For example, the major issue that civic body faces is that of chokage of chambers. So NMC has now decided on periodic cleaning of major trunk likes, not just when complaints prop-up. Similarly, extra machines are now procured to help speed-up civic body response. Same is the case with Hot Mix Plant, where new plant is being commissioned, additional machines procured, extra measures taken at plant to address issue of storage of materials in proper way. These are all small interventions but its results would be visible in time to come. The major topic in city today is health crisis due to mosquito breeding in large numbers in aftermath of rainy season. So NMC has started spraying and fogging in affected areas and elsewhere.

 

To a question about individuals undertaking similar measures, Municipal Commissioner felt that all agencies should co-ordinate with civic body so that right mix of chemical and composition is used. As to fogging, it might look quite good but its effect is very temporary and is not very effective. So NMC is laying stress on spraying chemicals on stagnant water, releasing Guppy fishes that eat larvae. But major problem still is open plots where water remains stagnant and this is a major worry for the health administration. Environment Protection: As to countering the sale of PoP idols, Municipal Commissioner said that in case any retailer is found with idols made from banned material in first case fine would be imposed but on second instances the shop license would be cancelled. Same would also hold true for Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav Mandals, in case their idols are found to be of PoP, next year they would be black listed and denied permission for the festival.

 

Dr Chaudhari admitted that NMC has started mentioning clause while awarding project that payments would be subject to receipt of funds from State Government. Explaining the rationale, he said that same is for those projects that have got administrative clearance from State Government. Since State grants come in stages, the financial burden should not fall on NMC and hence the same is mentioned while giving work orders. As to question about financial health, the Municipal Commissioner said it is quite well off but when asked then why most of tenders are going for second call he said perhaps the number of contractors are limited against works being listed by NMC.