ISLAMABAD: Once again, the Capital Development Authority has postponed opening the bid for outsourcing a project pertaining to Islamabad`s solid waste management.

The Rs25 billion project spanning 10 years was supposed to be opened for bid on Thursday (April 10), but sources said it had been postponed till April 25.

Earlier, the same bid was supposed to be opened on March 26.

`Yes, we have postponed bids tillApril 25. The bid was postponed as interested companies sought more time to complete documentation work,` said an official of CDA. He said the CDA management postponed the bid in `good faith` as `we want to award the contract in a transparent manner; it`s a mega project for 10 years; therefore, delaying it for a few weeks should not be an issue,` he said. The officer said that many renowned companies were in the race for this contract. `In the pre-bid meeting, many reputed firms participated,` he claimed.

Meanwhile, the CDA board a few days ago extended its temporarycontract with the Rawalpindi Waste Management Company for a further three months. The CDA is collecting garbage through its own staff and transporting it to the I-9 waste station before shifting it to Losar in Rawalpindi. In Losar, the CDA is also going to construct its own landfill site, and recently the CDA board also approved this project.

On December 30, the CDA sought bids from national and international companies for the primary and secondary collection of solid waste and its onward transportation to the landfill fill site in Rawalpindi.

Until recently, there were sepa-rate contracts for city and rural areas. However, both contracts expired recently, and now the civic agency wants to have a dedicated company for all of Islamabad.

Currently, the CDA spends over Rs3 billion annually on sanitation services but the results are not satisfactory, particularly in rural areas, where there is no proper collection of garbage.

In the absence of a waste disposal system in rural areas, residents throw garbage in open areas and nullahs. The new company will be responsible for cleanliness and garbage collection from the entire city.Sources said till the new landfill site is constructed in the Losar area, the CDA will continue dumping its waste in Rawalpindi, as it had made an agreement with the Rawalpindi administration in this regard.

However, sources said that the work for the landfill in Losar will start soon.

It is relevant to note here that the CDA, which was formed in 1960, has so far failed to provide a landfill site for the capital city. Instead of having a proper site, the civic agency has kept shifting the landfill site from one place to another. Before moving to Losar, the CDA keptdumping garbage in the residential sector of 1-12. However, last year, this practice was stopped, and nowadays, the civic agency has been carrying out cleanliness work in Sector I-12 amid development work in the sector.

Dumping of any kind of waste is banned in Islamabad: CDA Meanwhile, CDA on Saturday announced that dumping any kind of waste including garbage, construction debris or other materials in streets, green belts, waterways or public spaces within Islamabad`s limits is strictly prohibited.

`On the directions of Chairman CDA and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, the Directorate of Solid Waste Management has informed citizens that the Islamabad Territory Solid Waste Management Regulations 2023 are being strictly enforced to maintain high standards of cleanliness and safety in the city.

Under these regulations, dumping any kind of waste including garbage, construction debris or other materials in streets, green belts, waterways or public spaces within Islamabad`s limits is strictly prohibited,` says a press release issued by CDA.

The press release said that legal action will be taken against those who throw shopping bags or trash from vehicles onto roads while traveling.

Similarly, discharging water, sewage or burning solid waste such as garbage on streets, roads or public spaces is also illegal.

Additionally, the press release said that section 22 of the Islamabad Territory Solid Waste Management Wing Regulations 2023 states that any such or similar actions are against the law. All residents, housing societies, and private sector and others segments of society are also requested to dispose of waste and garbage only in designated bins. Violators will face legal action and fines under the regulations without further notice.