Pune seeks new private agency to handle SWM

With its contract with SWaCH (Solid Waste Collection and Handling) coming to an end, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to outsource waste management in the city to private entities. The decision came after a unanimous call from all party corporators’ to remove SWaCH that picks garbage from door-to-door and hire a private organisation for collecting garbage and sorting the waste across Pune at the standing committee meeting on Tuesday.

SWaCH completed its five-year contractual tenure on December 31, 2020. The civic administration has extended the contract by one and a half months and asked SWaCH to work till the time a new organisation is hired to work in place, reports Punekarnews.in.

SWaCH collects wet and dry waste from residents, commercial properties and slum areas. In addition, it has been given the right to collect certain fees from the citizens in residential and commercial properties.

“Proposals will be invited from other organisations to control the waste collection work. It has been decided in the standing committee that the process should be completed in a month and a half’s time. SWaCH can also participate in the tender process,” said Kunal Khemnar, PMC Additional Commissioner.

Picture Credit: Wikipedia. PMC Building, Unknown