Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) Commissioner Ketan Garg on Friday said that the Garbage Vulnerable Points (GVPs) have been increasing by the day in the city due to improper execution of door-to-door waste collection by CLAP vehicles. He also noted that CLAP vehicles have not being maintaining punctuality, due to which people are dumping waste at various places.

The civic chief on Friday conducted a field-level inspection in Velampeta, Old Post Office, Zilla Parishad and other surrounding localities under Wards 28, 29, and 35 of the South Zone.

Expressing serious displeasure to the public health officials over poor sanitation, Mr. Garg warned that strict action would be taken if negligence in waste collection by CLAP vehicles continues and directed the officials to curb and control GVPs effectively.

He personally saw a woman dumping household waste at an open place. When he enquired with her, the resident replied that the garbage collection vehicle had not arrived.

The Commissioner said: “Shortcomings are being noticed noticed due to the negligence of CLAP vehicles in maintaining punctuality in daily door-to-door waste collection operations. Since waste collection vehicles are not arriving at the stipulated time, locals are dumping garbage in open places, resulting in the increase of garbage vulnerable points.”

Mr. Garg asked Additional Commissioner P. Nallanayya to issue show-cause notices to the concerned zonal commissioner, assistant medical officer, and sanitary supervisor. He further directed that necessary action be initiated to suspend the sanitary inspector and ward sanitation secretary for negligence in supervising door-to-door garbage collection duties.

Mr. Garg emphasised that sanitation staff must discharge their duties with sincerity and commitment to improve the cleanliness of the city. He directed officials to ensure 100% door-to-door garbage collection, improve the performance of CLAP vehicles, and take effective steps to curb and control garbage vulnerable points. Later, interacting with sanitation workers, the Commissioner enquired about the timings for reporting to duty daily.

Following the inspection, Mr. Garg conducted a meeting with representatives of CLAP vehicle operating agencies, and supervisors at the GVMC office.

He expressed serious displeasure with the representatives and supervisors of CLAP vehicle agencies for failing to maintain punctuality. He stated that deficiencies in waste collection by CLAP vehicles are resulting in colonies and streets appearing unclean. He expressed concern that the lack of proper supervision by CLAP vehicle supervisors is clearly visible and warned that strict action would be taken against CLAP vehicle agencies and supervisors if deficiencies in garbage collection are not rectified in a planned manner.

He directed that all CLAP vehicles to be fully ready for garbage collection operations by 5.30 a.m. with sufficient fuel and in proper working condition. He also instructed that while conducting door-to-door garbage collection, jingles must be played and whistles must be used compulsorily so that residents are informed about the arrival of CLAP vehicles.

The Commissioner directed that every CLAP vehicle must compulsorily make three trips daily and that only after completing door-to-door garbage collection should waste lying in open places be collected. He further instructed CLAP vehicle supervisors to closely monitor the functioning of loaders and immediately report any deficiencies in their duties to the officials concerned.