Ravneet Singh Patiala, December 2 A major project initiated for ensuring cleanliness in the city – installation of smart-semi underground waste collection bins – seems to hit a roadblock as first bins installed at Nabha Gate in presence of Member of Parliament Preneet Kaur have been razed. Initially, three bins were installed at the site after which the Municipal Corporation (MC) allocated Rs 16.33 crore project of supplying smart semi-underground waste-collection bins and compactors along with transportation of collected waste from bins to the dumping ground for five years in 2018. The project was initiated to keep roadsides, city and residential areas clear of small dumping sites. Residents said bins at Nabha Gate were damaged deliberately and the MC had failed to initiate action over loss of property. Civic body officials said bins were damaged because of a fire during Diwali celebrations. According to residents the project of waste collection from various sites through installation of semi-smart underground bins and compactors did not yield positive results. “The costly project, which includes digging earth and installing underground bins at various locations, did not yield major results. The MC installed three bins at almost all locations for separate, including dry and wet waste collection. Segregation remained a perceived idea only. Soon, waste started piling up outside bins. Small garbage dumps were cleared for some time, but these have started emerging again,” said Vivek, a resident near Nabha Gate. “Waste collection bins at Nabha Gate were damaged. The MC has simply removed these bins and decided to install new ones without thinking twice. Another site for the preparation of compost pits on the Rajbaha road was also gutted in fire. These acts most-certainly have been committed deliberately, but the MC has decided to ignore them,” said another city resident. When contacted, Bhagwant Singh, municipal sanitary officer, said, “Garbage bins installed at Nabha Gate were damaged in a fire during Diwali celebrations. We have placed orders for new bins, which will be installed at the site soon.” “The MC has not been able to find cause of the fire. As a result, no complaint has been filed with the police for the loss of government property,” he added. Meanwhile, waste collection in the city was hit recently. The sanitation officer blamed a protest by cleanliness workers for alleged misunderstanding over passing racial remarks for hampering waste collection in the city.

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