Corporation floats another tender for privatisation of conservancy works

According to the new tender floated by the civic body, an Independent Engineer would be appointed to oversee the private conservancy works in Chennai. Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited has released the tenders on behalf of the civic body.

The development came despite the conservancy workers crying foul after the Chennai Corporation floated tenders in two packages inviting private firms to take care of conservancy in added zones - Tiruvottiyur, Manali, Madhavaram, Ambattur, Valasaravakkam, Alandur, Perungudi and Sholinganallur. The workers are in fear that the privatisation would lead to job loss and ineffective conservancy works in the city.

The total project cost of the privatisation of the conservancy works is more than Rs 1,545 crore. However, following the protests, the civic body gave an undertaking to the coordinators of the agitation, saying that it would postpone the tender process.

“Although the officials promised us to stop the tender process and postponed the opening of bids to November 24 from October 24, they continued the process without taking any final decision. We have sought appointment to meet Corporation Commissioner D Karthikeyan to discuss the issue and we are waiting,” P Srinivasalu, general secretary of Corporation Red Flag union, said.

When asked about the progress of privatization of conservancy works in the city, Corporation Chief Engineer (Solid Waste Management) N Mahesan said that the tender process was stopped owing to the opposition. However, the Chief Engineer refused to comment on the new tender that invites Independent Engineer.

It may be noted that the civic body had issued a written statement on postponing the tender process on October 12, but the new tender for Independent Engineer was floated on October 26, only a few days after the promise.

Meanwhile, Srinivasalu said that the decision on further agitations will be taken after the meeting with Corporation Commissioner. “Our next action depends on what Commissioner says,” he said.

If the Corporation succeeds in privatisation, conservancy works in Tiruvottiyur, Manali, Madhavaram and Ambattur would be carried out by a private firm at a cost of Rs 744.79 crore for five years. A sum of Rs 801.20 crore has been earmarked for Valasaravakkam, Alandur, Perungudi and Sholinganallur Zones.