Solid waste system: Jal Nigam receives 29 bids

“After evaluation of the technical bids in a week,financial bids will be opened for evaluation on September 22,” said P K Bhukesh,Director of Construction & Design Services (C&DS) in the Jal Nigam.

Under the project,a single firm will handle the entire solid waste management of a city — from collection to formation of bio-fertiliser and disposal at the land fill site. In June,the Jal Nigam had invited bids for the 9 cities. Later,they were cancelled because the firms had quoted high tipping fees in financial bids for collection and transportation of solid waste.

“The response is very good this time as each town has received minimum of three bids,” said Bhukesh. He added that two new conditions have been introduced for bidders this time. Firstly,selected firm could not hike tipping fees in the first three of the 30-year concession period. Secondly,if a firm associates another player in the project,the latter must have a share holding of at least 50 per cent in the associated company.

To ensure the use of land fill site for a longer time,the government has set a condition that firm will have to utilise 80 per cent waste and dispose only 20 per cent.