ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has reaffirmed its decision to outsource garbage collection and cleanliness operations after repeated evaluations, with bidding processes for multibillion-dollar urban and rural waste management contracts now underway. Technical bids from three joint ventures (JVs) are currently under review.
This follows four unsuccessful tender attempts in the past 18 months, culminating in the cancellation of proposals for maintaining cleanliness across Islamabad’s urban zones. Once financial bids open, the lowest-priced consortium will secure contracts for door-to-door waste collection and transportation to the existing Losar landfill in Rawalpindi.
Three JVs are competing for Package I, which covers urban zones I, II, and III. Contenders include a consortium led by NJC, MMC, Imperial Venture, and another joint venture headed by Altas Pak Waste Management Company and Associated Company. Meanwhile, Package II, encompassing rural zones IV and V, involves a separate bidder led by Three Brothers Construction and Nazir Luk and Co.
Officials noted that payments will be structured per tonne of waste collected, encouraging efficiency. CDA estimates annual expenditures to reach approximately Rs4 billion across both packages, with contracts slated for four-year terms.
The agency’s existing 1,100 sanitation workers will support contractor operations. Historically reliant on sporadic private and in-house efforts, the shift aims to establish systematic waste management, particularly in rural areas where secondary collection remains inconsistent. Unregulated dumping in open spaces and nullahs—exacerbating environmental degradation—has prompted authorities to prioritize structured solutions.
CDA has also reiterated plans to develop a permanent landfill site within Islamabad, a goal unmet despite years of sporadic dumping in locations like sector 1-12. “We are finalizing contracts and will award two separate agreements for urban and rural areas,” stated an environmental department officer. “The focus remains on accountability, transparency, and sustainable practices.”
The tender process is being managed by the CDA’s procurement and contract division, with a final decision anticipated after completing technical and financial evaluations.
