The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has announced new tenders for the collection and transportation of animal waste through an e-procurement platform. With a budget exceeding ₹2 crore, the tender is aimed at addressing the growing demand for proper waste management in Visakhapatnam, where animal waste disposal is a critical public health concern.
The tender requires that interested contractors possess an MSME certificate, own a vehicle, and have the capacity to transport at least 10 tonnes of animal waste daily to the designated disposal site in Kapuluppada. As of now, GVMC has received over 40 applications for this contract. According to Dr. N. Kishore, the Assistant Medical Officer and City Veterinary Doctor of GVMC, the city has 1,685 meat shops that generate a significant monthly revenue of ₹26 lakh. To manage this effectively, GVMC has divided the city into eight zones, with the waste collection contracts set to be awarded to eight different contractors.
This tender process comes in light of the expiration of previous contracts, which led to concerns from contractors seeking support from local MLAs. Dr. Kishore dismissed any allegations of political favoritism and reiterated GVMC’s focus on ensuring public health through effective waste management. He also revealed that GVMC is planning to establish a rendering unit that will process animal waste, turning it into a revenue-generating operation.
In recent years, the demand for animal waste has surged, largely due to the growth of fish farming in the suburbs of Visakhapatnam, Anakapalle, and East Godavari districts. Fish breeders have discovered that feeding fish with boiled chicken and mutton waste can accelerate growth, leading to increased competition among contractors. This heightened competition has caused some contractors to bypass GVMC’s invoicing system, collecting payments directly from fish farmers.
With these developments, GVMC is taking measures to ensure the proper disposal of animal waste from the city’s many chicken and mutton shops. This is crucial to safeguarding public health, as the improper accumulation of waste can result in disease outbreaks. Dr. Kishore assured that GVMC remains dedicated to maintaining strict waste management practices to protect the city’s environment and its residents.
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