GVMC cracks down on garbage transport scams

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has uncovered irregularities in the transport of garbage to the Kapuluppada dumping yard. Officials are taking steps to recover losses from the contractors involved.

Garbage from the Closed Compactor System (CCS) projects at Town Kottha Road, Gajuwaka, and Chimalapalli was supposed to be transported using hook loaders. However, media reports indicate that waste was moved at night in open tippers, while diesel was drawn monthly for hook loaders that were under repair.

GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg stated, “We take these reports seriously. A detailed inquiry has been ordered by the mechanical department.”

Investigators found discrepancies, including Rs 21 lakh worth of diesel recorded for a hook loader in Gajuwaka, which had been in the garage following a road accident. Additionally, there was a discrepancy of nearly 700 trips between the trip sheets submitted by the Jindal plant and those submitted by contractors for billing. A GVMC official mentioned, “We are preparing proposals to recover the diesel drawn for these extra trips.”

Departmental staff have claimed that a mechanical department official is pressuring contractors to file bills in their favor. “The contractors are influential at higher levels and have threatened us with repercussions,” said one employee.

Recently, Commissioner Garg ordered the termination of the contractor at Town Kottha Road. A staff member noted, “The Assistant Engineer (AE) and Deputy Engineer (DE) signed the notice, but the official supporting the contractor refused to comply.”

Officials have welcomed media scrutiny, stating, “These reports have helped curb corruption in the management of the CCS project,” according to one official.