Yet again, the pickups fail to carry load on climbs
the goan I network
VASCO
The Goa State Urban Development Authority (GSUDA) had alloted about 43 garbage mini-pickups to all the municipal councils in the State to collect wet garbage lying along the narrow roads where it was impossible for big compactors to reach. The cost of each vehicle is about Rs 4,69,174 and the total cost of 43 vehicles works out to about Rs 2,01,74,482.
However, when the pickups were put into operation, they started giving problems and were unable to carry the load and climb the slopes. All the municipal councils sent back all the 43 vehicles to GSUDA in March complaining about the problem, due to which the vehicles could not be used.
According to sources in the Mormugao Municipal Council garage, after rectifying the fault, the company sent back all the 43 rickshaws to the respective municipal councils in April with an assurance of one-year engine warranty.
“The vehicles were put to use in April and May to transport only dry and light garbage, during which we did not encounter any problem. The problem came to the fore recently when we tried to transport the silt excavated from the rainwater drains. After filling the silt, the vehicle moved only 3 metres and stopped, as it could not carry the load,” said the source.
When contacted, MMC Chairperson Deepak Naik admitted that the garbage mini-pickups cannot carry the load and also fail to climb simple slopes.
“We are in the process of purchasing three compactors, as the life of the old compactors is over and there is breakdown every day and we are unable to lift garbage,”
said Naik.
When asked whether he was happy with the functioning of the vehicles and whether he will bring the defect in the engine of
garbage mini-pickups to the notice of GSUDA officials, Naik said the vehicles can be utilized only to carry dry
garbage.
“I will write to GSUDA about the engine problems and get it rectified as the company has given one year warranty on engine,” he said.
