New Bus stand was inaugurated by Honourable Chief Minister in Tirunelveli City Municipal Corporation on 13-3-2003. The bus stand became operational from 1-4-2003.
The New bus stand has got one free toilet and 3 pay and use toilets. The bus stands has been constructed in the area of 19 acres. It has got 25000 sq.m of BT roads and 42,912 sq.ft. of open area. There is terminal building with 2 bus bays with facility for parking 68 buses with floor area of 9000 sq.m. There are 128 shops and 2 restaurants. The garbage is expected to be generated by the general public using the bus stand. Shops and Restaurant also generate huge quantity of garbage. As per very conservative initial estimate it was felt that minimum 25 Sanitary Workers and 9 NMRs are required to collect the pay and use toilet charges and to main sanitation and upkeep in the new bus stand. Deputation of such large number of workers to bus stand will effect cleanliness and sanitation in the other areas as Corporation is already having shortage of Sanitary Workers. Against sanctioned strength of 885 Sanitary Workers only 736 are actually on rolls.
Council in its Resolution No.1326 dated 17-3-2003 approved privatization of sanitation, up keep and maintenance of 3 pay and use and one free toilet in the New Bus stand. It was decided to make open offer and call tenders. Council also decided to adopt an innovative approach as indicated below:-
- Maintenance work will be allotted to an NGO only.
- NGO should be a registered society
- NGO should have previous experience of 5 years in sanitation work
- NGO should have annual turn over of Rs.15 lakhs and above in each of previous 3 years.
New Self sustaining Model
- Income to NGOs
Charges of pay and use toilets approved by council can be collected by NGO as indicated below:
Urination & Toilet : Rs.1/-
Bathing : Rs.2/-
Projected income form collection of above charges was Rs.10.75 lakhs per annum.
- Expenditure of NGOs
- To meet salary of the Sanitary Workers/ Supervisors, Electrician-Cum-Plumber etc.
- Purchase of consumables like soap, phenyl, brooms, dust bins etc.
- Payment of EB charges
- To meet service charges of the NGOs
III. Payment to Corporation
NGO has to calculate all the above expenditure and deduct the amount from the projected income. The remaining amount has to be paid by the NGO in monthly installment to the Corporation. The above amount has to be quoted by the NGOs in its tender.
A Committee of Officers was constituted . They have conducted brain storming sessions and finalize terms of reference. Tenders were incited, 3 Tenders were received. Based on comprehensive evaluation by Tender Scrutiny Committee Council has approved the tender of M/s.Food, Chennai. Food NGO is a registered society and in existence since 1987. They have previous experience in handling urban sanitation . They have annual turn over of Rs.53 lakhs in 2002. They have won number of international awards and are of sound financial status. The agency has taken up sanitation work from 1-6-2003 for a period of one year. They have appointed totally 55-60 Sanitary Workers and Supervisors and taken up the maintenance of pay and use and free toilets, sanitation and up keeping at the new bus stand . A formal agreement has been signed between contracting NGO & Corporation. Initial response from Public & passengers is quite encouraging. Road sweeping, removal of garbage, mopping and cleaning of toilets is being done all through day and night. Sanitary Workers are provided uniforms.
This is a new model which is beneficial to Corporation, as Corporation without spending a pipe is able to maintain new bus stand in co-ordination with NGO. Corporation is getting yearly revenue of Rs.3.24 lakhs on Salary of 60 Sanitary Workers and supervisors if bus stand is to be maintained by its worn staff . Level of efficiency of NGO with its previous experience in sanitation is better.