Islamabad to Launch New Waste Collection System in Rural Areas

The Capital Development Authority has approved a Turkish firm to implement a novel cleanliness and waste management system in Islamabad's rural regions. The first phase of the project is slated for an official launch on October 13 by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. CDA Chairman Sohail Ashraf, Environment Member Abdullah Khurram Niazi, and representatives from the Turkish firm, Atlas Pak Waste Management Company's Joint Venture, convened at CDA headquarters to deliberate on the rollout preparations.

The company provided a comprehensive overview of its operational strategies and arrangements, which impressed CDA officials who emphasized the importance of prompt service delivery. Given that the Turkish firm secured both urban and rural contracts, the CDA opted to commence operations in rural areas first, with the urban phase to follow.

The company will manage waste collection, transport it to a transfer station in Sector I-11, and then to the Losar landfill site in Rawalpindi. CDA is committed to waste segregation at the transfer station and intends to establish a recycling plant, utilizing plastic waste for manhole covers. With 103 vehicles and over 1,300 staff members on duty, residents will witness substantial changes starting next month.

The uniforms and vehicles have been color-coded. Interior Minister Naqvi has been closely involved in the project to enhance cleanliness in Islamabad. The Turkish firm emerged victorious by submitting a bid worth approximately Rs18 billion for both urban and rural segments, spanning four years. Currently, rural Islamabad lacks a proper waste collection system, and the CDA has been providing irregular secondary garbage collection.

To address this, the company has been tasked with initiating operations in rural areas first. The CDA will maintain operations in urban regions using hired machinery and its personnel; however, the contract will eventually be transferred to the Turkish company. The competitive bidding process began in July after a contentious technical evaluation, during which the CDA initially dismissed the Turkish firm but later reinstated its bid after the company contested the decision. The bid was ultimately deemed the most cost-effective by Rs380 million.