The Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh has once again floated a tender to operate its Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste processing plant, this time with revised terms and conditions. This marks the fourth attempt by the civic body to find a suitable operator for the facility, following three unsuccessful bidding rounds.
Revisions Based on Industry Feedback
After the earlier tenders failed to attract any bidders, the MC convened a pre-bid meeting to understand the concerns of potential operators. The feedback received during this session has been incorporated into the new tender document. According to MC sources, minor but significant changes have been made to the terms and conditions, including aspects related to financial viability and operational flexibility. The new tender has been formally issued and is expected to be opened in the coming days. Officials expressed optimism that the revised conditions would encourage a positive response from the industry.
Revenue Model Introduced
For the first time, the project has been structured as a revenue-generating model. The selected bidder will be required to pay a royalty on the sale of recycled products derived from the C&D waste. This particular clause was earlier flagged by bidders as financially unviable, leading to their reluctance to participate. The MC has now adjusted the royalty structure to make it more attractive.
Contract Duration and Scope
Under the new proposal, the plant will be handed over for operation and maintenance for a period of five years, with a possible extension of two additional years based on performance evaluation. The request for proposal (RFP) encompasses the entire value chain, including collection, transportation, processing, and disposal of C&D waste, as well as the manufacturing and sale of recycled products and by-products.
Background
The C&D waste plant is a critical infrastructure for Chandigarh, aimed at managing the growing volume of construction and demolition debris in the city. The MC has been struggling to operationalize the plant due to lack of interest from private operators. The revised tender is a strategic move to ensure the facility becomes functional and contributes to sustainable waste management.
Deepak Yadav, an assistant editor at The Times of India since 2007, covers the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, local body matters, and political affairs of Chandigarh. He has also reported on Chandigarh administration, crime, and central agencies.
