Ludhiana Municipal Corporation Pushes Forward with Comprehensive Waste Management Plan
In a significant development for urban infrastructure, the Finance and Contracts Committee (F&CC) of Ludhiana Municipal Corporation convened a crucial meeting at the Mayor Camp Office near Rose Garden on Thursday. The session saw extensive deliberations on approximately 55 resolutions, with the majority receiving formal approval from committee members.
Integrated Solid Waste Management Takes Center Stage
Civic officials confirmed that tenders have already been initiated for a comprehensive integrated solid waste management system. This ambitious project encompasses the complete waste lifecycle—collection, transportation, processing, and final disposal—through a public-private partnership model designed to modernize the city's waste handling capabilities.
According to sources familiar with the proceedings, municipal corporation officials brought this critical resolution before the F&CC following explicit directions from higher authorities. The officials were reportedly operating under considerable government pressure to ensure the tender's successful implementation, reflecting the project's priority status within the administration.
Scale and Compliance Requirements
Ludhiana Municipal Corporation officials emphasized that the city's substantial scale necessitates robust waste management solutions. With 95 municipal wards and an approximate population of 20 lakh residents, compliance with National Green Tribunal guidelines and the Solid Waste Management Rules of 2016 has become increasingly urgent.
The corporation currently maintains agreements with private entities for specific waste management functions. One private company handles garbage lifting from 32 secondary collection points, while another firm is responsible for processing fresh waste. However, these fragmented arrangements fall short of the integrated approach now being pursued.
Financial Implications and Project Scope
The municipal corporation had previously prepared a detailed estimate of Rs 169 crore specifically for door-to-door collection services, which received approval from the chief engineers' committee. Despite this preparatory work, no tender was ultimately awarded to any agency for that component.
The current proposal represents a more comprehensive approach, combining door-to-door collection, waste segregation, and processing into a unified implementation strategy. Preliminary cost estimates prepared by MC officials project annual expenditures between Rs 140 crore and Rs 150 crore for the complete program. Over an eight-year implementation period, the total financial commitment is expected to range between Rs 1,100 crore and Rs 1,200 crore.
Tender Process and Next Steps
The tender submission deadline was originally set for February 9, but officials indicated this date might be extended due to responses that failed to meet expectations. Following the F&CC's approval, a full MC House meeting is anticipated in the coming days to secure final authorization for the project's advancement.
Senior Deputy Mayor Rakesh Prashar maintained a reserved stance when questioned about the resolution's urgency, confirming only that most resolutions presented to the committee had been approved without elaborating on specific details.
Additional Governance Measures
Beyond the waste management initiative, the F&CC meeting also addressed enhanced oversight mechanisms. Discussions focused on establishing dedicated committees of councillors to monitor expenditures across various municipal corporation branches. These oversight bodies will specifically supervise the operation and maintenance cell, bridges and road branch, purchase committee, and dispute committee, ensuring greater accountability in municipal operations.
The comprehensive nature of Thursday's deliberations underscores Ludhiana Municipal Corporation's concerted effort to address both immediate infrastructure needs and long-term governance improvements as the city continues to develop its urban management capabilities.
