Indo-Spanish firms’ JV to take over conservancy work in Adyar from Oct 1

A Chennai Corporation official said Urbaser SA and Sumeet Facilities Ltd would start conservancy works in the zone as per the work order issued by the civic body in December 2019. Presently, another private firm, Ramky Enviro Engineers, is doing the conservancy works in three zones including Adyar.

“As many as seven zones — Teynampet, Kodambakkam, Adyar, Valasaravakkam, Alandur, Perungudi and Sholinganallur — have been handed over to the consortium for garbage removal. They will start with Adyar and move on to other six zones in a phased manner,” the official said.

The Corporation has estimated Rs 447 crore per year for privatising the conservancy works in the seven zones. Of the total 5,400 tonnes of garbage generated in the city every day, the seven zones amount to around 3,300 tonnes.

The official said the consortium was about to take over the works in April, but could not due to COVID-19. The contract also mandates the joint venture to ensure 100 per cent source segregation and deploy battery-operated vehicles for door-to-door waste collection. Also, payment would be made based on 34 key performance indicators.

When asked about the fate of present conservancy workers, the official said Adyar was already under Ramky Enviro Engineers and the conservancy workers in the zone are private workers. “The new firms will hire the eligible workers among the present workers,” he said.

Meanwhile, the civic body is negotiating with Ramky Enviro Engineers, who would take over conservancy works in Thiruvottiyur, Manali, Madhavaram and Ambattur zones.

Fearing loss of jobs, contract conservancy workers have been opposing the privatisation move since the civic body floated tenders inviting private firms.