Kochi to finally install GPS in waste transportation vehicles

Following the directive of the district-level monitoring committee (DLMC), Kochi corporation is planning to install a global positioning system (GPS) in its waste transportation vehicles.

DLMC, in its December 2020 meeting, had asked the corporation to install a GPS in all its trucks transporting the waste but objections from private vehicle operators delayed the process.

While the local body will install a GPS on vehicles owned by the corporation, privately-owned waste vehicles will be required to do so as per conditions attached in upcoming tenders. A corporation official told The Times of India that they have held discussions with owners of private vehicles regarding the installation of GPS. 

A monitoring system will also come into place to supervise the movement of vehicles. Currently, the local body spends around Rs 3 crore per year on hiring vehicles for waste transportation.

Around 70 loads of non-biodegradable waste and 30 to 40 loads of degradable waste are being transported to the Brahmapuram waste management plant daily. Of this, major transportation is done by hired private vehicles. Only five compact vehicles and a small number of other vehicles of the local body are currently involved in garbage movement.

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