Action initiated against Rasa over CCS maintenance delays

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has initiated action against RASA for alleged negligence and delays in commencing maintenance work at Closed Compactor System (CCS) facilities.

Officials said Rasa, which secured maintenance contracts for CCS plants at Cheemalapalli and Town Kotha Road, failed to begin operations within the stipulated timeframe. The company was also responsible for the CCS facility at Gajuwaka. However, following a recent tender, a new agency was selected for the Gajuwaka plant. The transition has been delayed as Rasa has yet to hand over the facility, resulting in continued disruption.

The delays have affected waste transportation from the Garbage Transfer Stations (GTS) at Town Kotha Road, Gajuwaka, and Cheemalapalli to the Kapuluppada dumping yard. With hook loader operations suspended, garbage has accumulated at several locations.

As a temporary measure, GVMC has engaged private tippers for waste transportation. Officials acknowledged that this arrangement has increased expenditure and raised environmental concerns.

The issue came into focus following media reports highlighting the slowdown in waste processing. Subsequently, GVMC engineering officials issued notices to Rasa, directing the firm to immediately commence work at the affected CCS plants.

Sources in the civic body said that if the company fails to comply, the Cheemalapalli CCS maintenance contract may be reassigned to the L2 bidder from the original tender. Fresh tenders may also be invited for the Town Kotha Road facility.

Engineering officials have forwarded a proposal to the Commissioner recommending cancellation of Rasa’s tenders. A decision is expected in the coming days.