COUNTDOWN TO MONSOON BMC says garbage collection will improve in a few days

It's the "transition period" that is causing a stink in three wards in the city: N (Ghatkopar), S (Bhandup) and T (Mulund). With tempers against collection of garbage refusing to die down, the civic administration on Friday promised that the situation would improve in a few days. Many, however, slammed the civic administration and ruling saffron alliance for letting the situation go out of control. 

    The standing committee members' delay in approving garbage collection contracts, which expired on May 31, has led to the problem. New tenders have been floated and contractors have been appointed but the mobilization period required by contractors is two to six months. To 
cover the mobilization period, the civic administration floated a proposal to extend contracts of existing contractors. Civic chief Sitaram Kunte had to step in for a bailout. 
    The 24 wards have been divided into seven zones. The civic administration says the problem has been with only one zone as 35% contractors' vehicles were in a bad shape and had to be left out of the extension contracts. New agencies had to be appointed for the three wards. With inadequate compactors required for garbage collection, the situation worsened. "Things will iron out in a few days, " said additional municipal commissioner Mohan Adtani. Congress MLC Charan Singh Sapra said party workers will collect garbage and throw it at the doorsteps of Sena leaders.

DESILTING WORK DOWN THE DRAIN: If the civic body fails to clear up silt outside nullahs, it will choke them up. "The BMC has not lifted the silt for a month. A week back a civic truck dumped rocks and sand on top of it," said Hiralal Kanojia, a resident of Dimple housing society, Andheri (W)