Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Nov 22: Workers of the company to which garbage collection work of the city has been entrusted to, went on flash strike on Tuesday November 21. As such, garbage disposal work within the city corporation limits came to a grinding halt.

Mumbai-based Antony Waste Handling Cell (Pvt) Ltd has been entrusted with the task of collection of garbage from the doors of the city dwellers and transporting it to the garbage dump-yard at Vamanjoor. On an average, 300 to 320 tonnes of garbage gets accumulated in the city. 680 workers spread over 150 vehicles are involved with the task of collection and transportation of garbage. As garbage was not picked on Tuesday, waste could be seen spread out at various places, with the situation turning worse on account of street dogs and birds.

File photo

The city corporation, it is learnt, was to remit payment due for two months of September and October to the waste collection company. Out of Rs 4.5 crore that is due, Rs 1.75 crore has been credited to bank account. The corporation, it is said, has assured the company to credit Rs 50 lac to its account on Wednesday. It is also gathered that as per the bilateral agreement, additional money arising out of revision of minimum wages and hike in petrol and diesel costs have also to be paid to the company by the corporation since a year.

City mayor, Kavita Sanil, corporation commissioner and officials held a meeting with the representatives of the company on Tuesday evening. The corporation reportedly promised to clear the dues, and the garbage collection is expected to resume on Wednesday. The mayor said that the company has assured to take up garbage collection work from Wednesday.