Semi-smart underground waste bins see light of day

Ravneet Singh
Tribune News Service
Patiala, May 22

Almost a year after semi-smart underground waste bins and compactors project was launched, the Patiala Municipal Corporation (MC) has installed 36 smart bins across the city. The project was launched by Preneet Kaur, former Union Minister.

The officials said they had identified 25 locations where three bins each of 10 quintal capacity were installed. Apart from these, there were five spots where two bins had been installed while compactors were being set up at six locations.

The officials said the compactors with 8 tonne capacity each were being installed at spots where quantity of garbage is high, including Bhadson road and near city’s main Sabzi Mandi, among others.

Residents had also raised questions regarding setting up of the bins near their houses which stalled the project.

Patiala MC Mayor Sanjeev Kumar Sharma said, “We started the project way back but people raised certain objections in different areas of the city. Garbage dumps are present at 63 different locations in the city.” He said with the implementation of the project all these locations would become clean.

The city with a population of nearly 4.31 lakh people, produces over 200 tonnes of waste per day. According to the officials, compactors and bins combined would be able to store and help transport over 150 tonnes of garbage every day.

Once the project gets fully implemented, the MC expects to bring down the total expenditure by Rs 10 lakh a month.

Fact file

• According to officials, compactors and bins combined will be able to store and help transport over 150 tonnes of garbage every day 
• The Patiala Municipal Corporation expects to bring down the total expenditure by Rs 10 lakh a month