Garbage Piles Up, GVMC CCS Projects Under Scanner

Visakhapatnam’s garbage management system is facing scrutiny after reports of poor maintenance and waste accumulation at several Closed Compactor System (CCS) projects. The CCS system is a crucial part of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation’s (GVMC) solid waste management framework, designed to reduce odour and environmental impact by compacting household garbage and transporting it to the Kapuluppada dumping yard.

CCS facilities at Bheemili, Mudasarlova, Town Kotha Road, Gajuwaka, and Cheemalapalli are operated by private agencies, with GVMC providing vehicles, fuel, and paying up to Rs 2 crore annually for each project. However, units at Town Kotha Road, Gajuwaka, and Cheemalapalli have been operating irregularly, with waste not being transported daily, leading to accumulation and complaints from residents.

GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg recently inspected these facilities and found several machines to be non-functional and hook loaders to be unavailable. Diesel had been drawn even when vehicles were not in operation, prompting Garg to direct officials to recover about Rs 81 lakh from the agency across three municipal zones.

The recovery process has been delayed, and the same agency reportedly secured contracts again for Town Kotha Road and Cheemalapalli during the tender process for the coming year. Garg has instructed officials to ensure full recovery and re-examine the tender process as per the rules.