Islamabad to Introduce New Waste Collection System in Rural Areas
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has issued a letter of acceptance to a Turkish company for the launch of a new waste collection and cleanliness system in Islamabad.
The first phase of the project will focus on rural areas of the federal capital, with the formal launch expected on October 13. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is expected to inaugurate the initiative.
CDA Chairman Sohail Ashraf, Member Environment Abdullah Khurram Niazi and representatives of the Joint Venture of Atlas Pak Waste Management Company met at CDA Headquarters on Tuesday to review preparations for the project.
During the meeting, company representatives presented their plans for waste collection, transportation and other operational arrangements. The CDA chairman directed the company to begin work as soon as possible and stressed the need for consistent service delivery.
Rural Areas to Get Priority
The Turkish company secured both the urban and rural packages. However, the CDA has decided to start operations in rural areas first, while work in the urban areas will be introduced at a later stage.
Under the proposed system, collected waste will be transported to the transfer station in Sector I-11. It will then be moved to the Losar landfill site in Rawalpindi.
The CDA also plans to introduce waste segregation at the transfer station and establish recycling facilities. Officials said plastic waste could potentially be used to manufacture items such as manhole covers.
More Vehicles and Staff
Officials expect the new system to bring visible changes to waste management in rural Islamabad from next month.
Around 103 vehicles are planned for waste collection in rural areas, while more than 1,300 uniformed workers will be deployed for the operation. The designs and colours of the vehicles and uniforms have also reportedly been finalised.
The project is intended to address long-standing waste management issues in rural parts of the capital, where a regular collection system has not been available.
At present, the CDA carries out secondary waste collection in some rural locations on an occasional basis. Due to limited services, residents often dispose of garbage in open areas and drains.
Four-Year Contract
The Turkish company won the contract after submitting a bid of approximately Rs18 billion for the urban and rural waste management packages.
The agreement covers a period of four years. The CDA will initially continue managing waste collection in urban areas through its own staff and hired machinery before eventually transferring the urban package to the same company.
The bidding process had faced challenges during the technical evaluation. The Turkish company was initially disqualified but later had its bid restored after challenging the decision.
Its proposal was ultimately declared the lowest, with a difference of around Rs380 million compared with the competing bid.
A second joint venture challenged the CDA’s decision before the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA). After several hearings, the matter was decided in favour of the CDA, clearing the way for the project to proceed.
