- Operation
and maintenance of Water supply distribution network:
To supply water to the citizens of the Rajkot, RMC has its own source as
well as RMC buys water in bulk from the Irrigation Department of Gujarat. RMC
receives 50 mld from Bhadar scheme and 25 mld from Aji scheme in normal case. At
present RMC also receives water in bulk from Gujarat Water Supply and Sewerage
Board (GWSSB) through pipeline. After giving treatment, water is supplied
through distribution network. To ensure efficient water supply to each and every
citizen is the prime motto of RMC. So RMC has involved private sector in
maintenance of water distribution system through service contract.
The entire city is divided into 23 wards. Out of 23 wards, in 20 wards
service contract is given to the different contractors through competitive
negotiation. RMC has prepared its own Schedule of Rates for the water supply.
Contractor has to quote percentage rate above or below to carry out the work.
The contract duration is only one year. Under
this arrangement the responsibility of capital as well as working investment
lies with RMC.
- Operation of Water Treatment Plant:
Recently RMC has privatized the operation of Ribda water treatment plant.
Previous the operation and maintenance of the plant is carried out by the RMC.
In normal case when RMC draws water from Bhadar dam, to operate and maintain the
filter plant
- Operation of drainage pumping stations:
At present, sewage is conveys to treatment plant through under ground
pipe network with the help of pumping. There are seven pumping stations are
located in different area to pump the sewage. Out of seven pumping station,
operation and maintenance of six pumping station is given to the private
contractor, and remaining is operated through RMC employee.
The maintenance of six sewerage pumping station is given under service
contract by calling for tenders on yearly basis. Regarding privatized six
pumping station, RMC’s responsibility is limited to the payment of electric
bill and replacement of major parts. At each pumping station the contractor has
to provide one electrician and one helper per shift. Monitoring and regulatory
supervision of contractor’s work is carried out by the Assistant engineer and
Deputy executive engineer. Total cost incurred in operating and maintaining the
six pumping station is fixed on shift basis.
- Privatisation of complaint sale of Drainage department:
Recently,
RMC has taken further step in involvement of private sector in delivery of urban
services. The complain sale of drainage department is privatized by RMC. For
ward no. two to eight, Responding and redressal to complain is given to private
contractor. As per contract, the contractor has to look after the complain
regarding the drainage services in ward no. 2 to 8.
- Solid Waste Management:
As
per the BPMC act – 1949 cleansing and scavenging is the obligatory function
that is to be performing by RMC. So it is difficult to involve private sector in
cleansing and scavenging of public streets. But streets belongs to private
society can be privatized. So RMC has started to involve community based
organization and society in solid waste management. To motivate the society
holders to participate in solid waste management, RMC has started to give
incentive grants to the society for solid waste management within society.
Internal streets sweeping and primary collection of solid waste within society
is carried out by the society it self. Then collected waste transferred to the
land fill site either by conservancy department or by private contractor.
At presents, RMC gives monthly
incentive grants to twenty-five societies. The amount of grants depends upon the
area of streets belongs to the society. RMC gives Rs. 1000/- per 30,000 sqfts.
Total amount spent as incentive grants to the society is Rs. 37200/- per month.
By giving such incentive grants to society RMC saves Rs. 3000/- per 30,000 sqfts.
Also RMC has involved private
contractor in secondary operation i.e. transfer of solid waste from the
predefined collection points to the landfill site. Earlier contractual amount
was fixed on total weight of solid waste transferred per trip. But it was found
that, instead of transferring solid waste, construction debris and heavy
materials was most favorable
item to transfer under the contract. Also malpractice was found in weightage of
solid waste. Also during vigilant
checking it was found that actual net weight of solid waste transfer is less
then by on an average 300 to 350 kg per trip. So RMC has decided to terminate
the contract and gives fresh co0ntracts on point basis. Under this arrangements
nos. of point are fixed in all wards from where the contractor has to collect
the waste and transfer to the disposal site. At present in 11 wards in old RMC
and three wards of newly merged area, the private contractors carry out
secondary waste. In new merged area the private contractor also carries out
primary collection collection of solid.
- Maintenance of Parks and Gardens:
RMC
also develops and maintains a large no. of parks and gardens in a city.
RMC has started to involve private contractor in maintenance of parks and
gardens in 1991-92.
At present there are 30 parks
and gardens covering an area of 1,97000 sqmt. located at different place within
a city. Maintenance contract is given for area ranging from 2290 sqmt. To 24500
sqmt. Tenders are invited and maintenance contract is given on fixed amount per
sqmt. And contract is given for one year only. For the maintenance of gardens
and parks a rate of Rs. 12.80 per sqmt. per year has been fixed. The works given
to private contractors includes lawn moving, top dressing, cutting hedges and
growing plants.
