KMC to float fresh tender to procure hot mix from outside

Kolkata: Kolkata Municipal Corporation will soon float a fresh tender for procurement of hot mix from outside and using it for road repair

"After National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned the use of hot mix plants in the city, we are unable to operate our two hot mix plants located at Palmer Bazar and Goragacha Road near Taratala. Hence, we have to procure hot mix from outside for road repair. We will float a tender and select an agency from whom we will be getting the hot mix," Mayor Firhad Hakim said after a high-level meeting at KMC headquarters on Friday.

The civic body will also float a tender for selecting consultant for construction of a pollution free hot mix plant or similar alternative infrastructure. "We will float the tender after seeking advice from experts and then will ask time for around six months from the court to set up the infrastructure," Hakim said.

The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority as well as the state Public Works Department procure hot mix from outside through tendering process.

The meeting between the Member Mayor-in-Councils (MMiC) was held at KMC where a few councillors gave the proposal of shifting the hot mix plant situated on Goragacha Road to Bhangar in South 24-Parganas. The decision in this regard is yet to be taken.

Sources at KMC said they will appeal to NGT for relaxation in operating two plants for a certain period and will inform in detail about the steps they are taking to switch over to other alternatives for curbing pollution. The matter is scheduled to be heard again by NGT on December 18.

In the last month, a private company had demonstrated before KMC on how cold mix technology can be used for road repair. The KMC engineers are analysing the pros and cons of the technology. KMC has also written to its mother organization PWD regarding their idea of using coal mix

for road repair.