It will provide list of verified agencies to all p'yats, municipalities
MAPUSA
In a significant move to streamline waste management in Goa, the Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) has announced its decision to empanel contractors and agencies specialising in door-to-door waste collection.
This initiative aims to provide a consolidated list of verified agencies to all panchayats and municipalities, ensuring a systematic and accountable waste management process.
“To effectively address the pressing sanitation issue and waste handling in villages, it is imperative to appoint reputed and experienced agencies who have been working in the field of waste management,” a senior official of GWMC said.
The empanelment will categorise contractors into four groups, enabling panchayats and municipalities to select agencies best suited to their specific waste management needs.
The official emphasised that the initiative is designed to bring professionalism and efficiency to waste handling in the State.
The initiative comes in response to growing concerns over unregulated garbage collection and disposal practices.
“Today, the panchayat is giving work of garbage management to any random person. We want to formalise this process by categorising contractors who have proven expertise in waste management in the State,” the GWMC official explained.
Previously, unqualified labourers often took on waste collection contracts, leading to unsupervised dumping and the proliferation of open dumps.
“There was no accountability – no information on how waste was being collected or where it was being dumped. This led to a surge in open dumps, causing sanitation and environmental hazards,” the official added.
Categories for empanelment
The GWMC has outlined four distinct categories for empanelment, based on the nature and scale of services provided:
Category I: Contractors responsible for dry and wet waste collection and managing the machinery at Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs)
Category II: Contractors managing only dry and wet waste collection
Category III: New entrants handling dry waste collection for small panchayats
Category IV: Contractors solely managing MRF operations without waste collection duties
Agencies will be assessed and empanelled in the respective categories for which they qualify.
The list will serve as a ready reckoner for the Directorate of Panchayats and the Directorate of Municipal Administration.
“Whenever the panchayats or municipalities float a tender or invite bids, only these empanelled contractors will be allowed to participate. This ensures that only capable and experienced agencies handle waste management,” the official said.
Technology-driven
accountability
The empanelled contractors will be mandated to adopt technological advancements such as GPS tracking systems to ensure transparency and efficiency in waste collection and disposal.
“We will have complete control over the contractors, knowing exactly where the garbage is going, where it is being dumped, and how it is treated. This is critical to minimising black spots and achieving 100 per cent coverage,” the GWMC official noted.
Panchayat, municipality
classification
To align services with local needs, the GWMC has categorised panchayats and municipalities based on their size and capacity:
Category A panchayats: Larger panchayats with 11 wards.
Category B panchayats: Panchayats with 9 wards.
Category C panchayats: Panchayats with 7 wards.
Category D panchayats: Smaller panchayats with 5 wards.
“This way, only big contractors with adequate manpower will be eligible to bid for bigger panchayats and municipalities. Smaller contractors can focus on smaller panchayats, ensuring equitable distribution of resources,” the official explained.
The GWMC has invited sealed proposals from experienced, registered, and authorised agencies for empanelment under categories I, II, III and IV. The empanelment will be valid for three years, with an option to extend it by another year.
“This initiative is not just about better waste management; it’s about ensuring that Goa remains clean, green, and sustainable. With a structured approach, we can tackle waste-related challenges more effectively and safeguard our environment for future generations,” the official concluded.
This move is expected to bring a much-needed overhaul to Goa’s waste management system, setting a benchmark for organised, accountable, and efficient practices across the State.
