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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: MC plans to hand over C&D waste mgmt ops to private firm
In a major shift aimed at cutting costs and improving efficiency, the Chandigarh municipal corporation (MC) is planning to hand over the operations and processing of construction and demolition (C&D) waste to a private firm. At present, the civic body, in collaboration with an outsourced agency, is overseeing the collection, transportation, and processing of C&D waste generated across the city. As per the plan, MC will invite bids from eligible agencies for the operation and maintenance of the C&D waste processing plant located in Industrial Area Phase-1, Chandigarh. (HT photo for representation) The draft Request for Proposal (RFP) detailing the terms and conditions has been prepared and will be placed before the General House of the civic body on Tuesday, for discussion and final approval. Once cleared, the tendering process is expected to begin, paving the way for a new model in C&D waste management in the city. 'Currently, MC is spending around ₹25 lakh every month on the entire process,' said an MC official. 'Once a firm is hired, it will take over all responsibilities — from collection to processing and sale of by-products. Instead of making monthly payments, the MC will earn royalty from the agency, including a share on the sale of products made from recycled waste,' the official added. As per the plan, MC will invite bids from eligible agencies for the operation and maintenance of the C&D waste processing plant located in Industrial Area Phase-1, Chandigarh. The proposed concession period is five years, which can be extended by another two years. The firm will be selected on the basis of the highest royalty quoted per metric tonne (MT) of waste processed. The selected concessionaire will be tasked with collecting both authorised and unauthorised C&D waste from across the municipal limits, including door-to-door collection on a paid basis. They will also be responsible for operating and maintaining the processing plant, which produces a variety of recycled construction materials such as paver blocks, tiles, kerbs, bricks, manhole covers, garden benches, and other RCC/PCC products. The agency will bear all operational expenses, including electricity and water bills, maintenance of machinery such as crushers, sedimentation units, concrete mixers, vibrating tables, misting machines, and other mechanical, civil, and electrical components of the plant. The bidder will be required to quote a per-MT royalty amount, which will increase by 5% annually on a compounded basis starting April 1 every year. Additionally, the firm must pay a fixed 5% royalty to the MC on the sale of products and by-products manufactured from the processed waste. Other agendas on General House meeting today The MC is also planning to rope in private firms to take over operation and maintenance of fountains in various green belts and gardens, and will be offering advertising space with a monthly fee. There are 22 big fountains, and 30 small fountains under the MC's jurisdiction. At present, these are being maintained by the civic body itself. As per the plan, the firm shall pay licence fee per month for fountain and shall pay advertisement fee according to the size of the advertisement from the ground level. MC house will also discuss the proposed three-fold hike in the booking charges of city's community centres, and a proposal to invite eligible bidders for the operation and maintenance of Rose Club, Sector 16, under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
MC doesn't plan to spend a rupee on parking pass rollout in Chandigarh
1 2 Chandigarh: In a move aimed at simplifying parking and boosting revenue without spending a rupee, the Chandigarh municipal corporation (MC) has fast-tracked a proposal to roll out monthly parking pass system for all paid parking lots across the city. The plan? Rs 500 for four-wheelers and Rs 250 for two-wheelers — one pass, unlimited access. To make this happen, the MC plans to partner with a bank that will handle the tech side of things — from payment gateways to app development — ensuring a smooth, tamper-proof system. Senior MC officials, including the municipal commissioner and representatives from the parking and engineering wings, recently met with bank officials to fine-tune the proposal. The plan includes issuing stickers to pass holders, allowing them to enter parking lots without the hassle of collecting slips. Non-pass users will continue with the traditional ticketing system. The initiative is expected to be discussed and approved in the upcoming General House meeting later this month before being rolled out citywide. A senior MC official said, "We're offering a citywide pass at a very reasonable rate. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like あなたの家の適正価格を知ろう HOME4U 詳細 Undo A survey is already underway, and about 70% of respondents have shown interest. We're optimistic about the response." The passes will be available both online and at e-Sampark centres for public convenience. The selected bank will also develop a mobile app to streamline the process and prevent misuse. The Numbers Behind the Move According to MC estimates, around 5 lakh four-wheelers and 1 lakh two-wheelers use paid parking lots in Chandigarh every month. Even if just 50,000 commuters opt for the new pass, the MC could generate Rs 30 crore annually — a significant jump from the current monthly profit of Rs 50 lakh. Currently, the MC sells around 5,000 passes a month, each valid for just one parking lot at ₹420. The new system promises not just convenience for commuters but a major revenue boost for the city — all without additional expenditure.
Hindustan Times
29-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: MC to invite fresh bids for horticulture waste plant
In yet another glaring example of mismanagement, the Chandigarh municipal corporation (MC) has decided to restart the allotment process for the city's much-needed horticulture waste plant — a project billed as 'urgent' but now mired in procedural lapses and political arguments. The matter will be placed before the Chandigarh MC House in its upcoming General House meeting on June 30 (Monday). (HT File) The decision to reinitiate the tendering comes months after former mayor and senior BJP leader Anup Gupta flagged alleged irregularities in awarding the construction contract of the new horticulture waste plant. The project, aimed at easing the city's mounting horticulture waste crisis, was originally approved in December last year, but has been stalled since January this year, further delaying critical infrastructure in a city already grappling with leaf litter piling up on its streets. The matter will be placed before the MC House in its upcoming General House meeting on June 30 (Monday), where officials will table a fresh Request for Proposal (RFP), detailing terms and conditions for re-tendering. Only after the proposal is cleared by the House will a new tender be floated — adding several more months of delay to a project that was supposed to be carried out in emergency mode. City under-equipped to process horticulture waste The city's existing facilities for processing horticulture waste are woefully under-equipped. Currently, MC operates composting pits at 104 sites within parks, handling only 32 tonnes per day (TPD) of mixed horticulture waste. Not just composting pits, MC has limited capacity in horticulture waste processing plants too, located in the Industrial Area, Phase 2. Processing around 12 TPD of pruned horticulture waste daily, which includes pruned branches and stems, the plant is running at full capacity, but is still far from meeting the city's overall waste disposal needs. To plug this gap, the MC had proposed a second plant — also in Industrial Area Phase 2 — with a capacity of 60 TPD and an estimated cost of ₹ 4 crore. The plant was to employ biofuel briquetting technology to convert waste into fuel bricks. However, the project has been overshadowed by controversy. Former mayor Anup Gupta had in May alleged that MC bypassed proper tendering procedures and unlawfully nominated M/s Hardicon Limited, a PSU, for the job without issuing any Expression of Interest (EOI) or Request for Proposal (RFP). In his formal letter to the commissioner, Gupta questioned whether due protocols under the General Financial Rules (GFR) 2017, CVC guidelines, and the Manual of Procurement of Works 2022 were followed — and is still awaiting a response. The allegations forced MC commissioner Amit Kumar to step in. He ordered an internal inquiry and assured the House that the agreement with the PSU would be scrapped if procedural lapses were confirmed. 'The agreement will be cancelled and a fresh tender floated,' he said, promising accountability. Ironically, the existing operator of the Phase 2 plant is billing the MC ₹ 3 lakh per month while delivering subpar waste processing. According to MC insiders, the public sector firm had offered to build and operate the new facility for free and even proposed profit-sharing on the sale of briquettes. 'Given the MC's weak financial standing, the offer seemed attractive,' an official said, defending the earlier move. 'However, to ensure 'transparency' and to placate elected councillors, the civic body is going back to square one. The fresh allotment process will ensure everyone is satisfied, but yes, it will delay the project by another few months,' the official admitted. MC to auction 7.5 acre in Manimajra The Chandigarh MC is preparing to auction more than 7.5 acre of land across five plots in Pocket Number 6 of Manimajra, paving the way for a multi-storey group housing society. The proposal, complete with detailed terms and conditions and several regulatory riders, will be tabled in the upcoming general house meeting for discussion and approval on Monday. The cumulative reserve price for the five plots crosses ₹ 794 crore, which can surely fill the empty coffers of the MC. As per the plan, the land can be allotted either jointly to a consortium or to a single developer. The MC has ruled out any scope for fragmentation or amalgamation of plots or buildings. The construction must strictly adhere to the zoning plan and dwelling units cannot be used for any purpose other than residential. As per terms and conditions, allottees will be liable for applicable taxes, GST, and fees imposed by the Centre, Chandigarh administration, or MC. Community facilities like libraries, creches, halls, and society offices must be used exclusively by residents—no commercial use will be allowed. No plot or building can be divided or merged without prior approval. Construction must strictly follow the approved zoning plan with no deviation in use.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
53 new advt sites to boost MC's balance sheet
1 2 Chandigarh: In a significant stride towards boosting its revenue, the Chandigarh municipal corporation has received the green light from the UT urban planning department for 53 new advertisement sites and unipole locations across the city. This comes as a major financial uplift for the civic body, which already manages 22 existing sites. Together, these 75 prime locations are poised to transform the city's visual landscape—and its balance sheet. To streamline operations, the MC has smartly divided the sites into three zones, each comprising 25 advertisement panels/unipoles. The tender for these zones will be floated soon, pending approval in the General House meeting scheduled for Monday. According to financial projections, the MC expects to rake in Rs 12 crore annually from these sites, with a 10% yearly increase built into the contract. MC sought more Originally, the MC requested 159 sites, but after rigorous inspections and feasibility checks by senior technical officers from both departments, only 53 were approved. This collaborative effort ensured compliance with Chandigarh's strict land usage norms and urban planning standards. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If you have a mouse, play this game for 1 minute Navy Quest Undo What's in the Agenda? The detailed agenda outlines: Approval of 53 new sites (43 advertisement panels + 10 unipoles) in commercial zones. Integration with 22 existing sites, whose current contracts expire in early August 2025. Division into Zone 1, Zone 2, and Zone 3 for e-auction. Tender documents finalized, including technical and financial norms, terms and conditions, and a calculation sheet. E-auction to be conducted under CVC guidelines.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Panel of 7 to now draft Haryana Sikh gurdwara body's '25-'26FY budget
Kurukshetra: A newly formed seven-member subcommittee has now been given the responsibility of preparing the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) budget for 2025-26 financial year. The announcement was made by HSGMC president Jagdish Singh Jhinda at the Kurukshetra HQ of the state Sikh body Thursday. He said the decision to form this committee was taken unanimously by the General House after the proposed Rs 104 crore budget was rejected due to significant gaps and the omission of several key points. The new committee will include representatives from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), and the HSGMC's own auditor to ensure financial transparency. Jhinda said that audits will be conducted for the periods of 2014-2020, which was under his previous leadership, followed by the remaining years. To maintain accountability, all gurdwaras under HSGMC's jurisdiction have been directed to display their monthly expenditures and financial records publicly on notice boards, ensuring the Sikh congregation has access to all financial information. Meanwhile, Baljit Singh Daduwal, chairman of HSGMC's Dharam Prachar committee, expressed strong objection to a govt advertisement that referred to Baba Banda Singh Bahadur as "Veer Banda Bairagi". Speaking on the martyrdom anniversary of the revered Sikh general, Daduwal emphasised that the correct name — Baba Banda Singh Bahadur — must always be used in official communications. A resolution demanding a correction has been passed by the General House, and a formal letter will be sent to the Haryana govt, he said. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, Daduwal commended Jhinda for observing it as a "Black Day," highlighting the oppression faced by Sikh leaders during that period. He also congratulated Harmeet Singh Kalka on his re-election as president of DSGMC. On the arrest of Bikram Singh Majithia, he said if the current Punjab govt acts unlawfully, it will be opposed, and that justice must prevail based on facts.
