No int’l firm bids to set up waste units

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s plans to hire international firms to set up dry waste processing units have come a cropper as not a single agency from abroad has responded to its calls. Only seven firms, a majority of which are from Mumbai itself, have bid for the tenders of this project.

For the disposal of dry waste by processing/recycling, the BMC had invited global “expressions of interest” to set up dry waste segregation centres (DWSCs) for collection, transportation, processing and disposal of dry waste generated in the city.

According to civic officials, seven firms – Swachh Sustainable Solutions Private Limited (RaddiConect), Mailhem Ikos Environment Private Limited, Meera Cleanfuels Limited, Dalmia Polypro Industries Private Limited, Opportune Hospitality Services, Shakti Plastic Industries and Nepra Resource Management Private Limited – submitted their bids. Of them, six were from Mumbai only, whereas Nepra Resource was from Ahmedabad.

“We have kept the presentation of these firms next week. Based on that, we will give financial offers to eligible firms,” said Kiran Dighavkar, assistant municipal commissioner (solid waste management). About the lack of response from international firms, he said that the agencies, which had bid, had assured they would avail international technology for the project.

The BMC had identified five places in the city, where dry waste processing units would be set up by international firms. They included a 4,849 sq.m. plot at Suraksha Garden in Colaba; 840 sq.m. plot near Mahan-agar Telephone Exchange in Bandra; 1,644 sq.m. plot at Malavani in Malad; 5,000 sq.m. plot at Shivaji Nagar in Deonar; and 4,048 sq mt plot at Bhatwadi Crematorium in Ghatkopar.