Giridih News: Municipal Corporation’s Cleaning Vehicles Idle Due to Driver Shortage, Some Turning to Scrap

Giridih, December 04, 2024: The Giridih Municipal Corporation is facing a significant challenge as cleaning vehicles, purchased at a cost of several crores, remain unused due to a lack of trained drivers. These specialized vehicles, meant to enhance the city’s sanitation efforts, have been parked idle for months, with some already deteriorating into scrap.

The state government had provided Giridih with a fleet of modern cleaning machines approximately seven months ago, including mechanical vehicles priced between ₹3-4 crore each. Despite their potential to transform waste management in the city, the vehicles have seen little to no use, exposing inefficiencies in resource utilization.

Lack of Drivers Halts Operations

The primary reason for this stagnation is the unavailability of skilled drivers trained to operate the advanced machinery. According to Prashant Layak, the Deputy Municipal Commissioner, the corporation has repeatedly communicated this issue to the Urban Development Department. However, no trained personnel have been deployed so far.

“These machines require specialized training for operation. Without skilled drivers, we are unable to utilize these resources effectively,” Layak explained.

Community Outcry Over Wasted Resources

Residents and local leaders have voiced concerns over the idling machinery. Rajesh Sinha, a leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist), recently submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Naman Priyesh Lakra. Sinha highlighted that the vehicles, left unused in the corporation’s old vacant lot, are now rusting and losing their value.

“Crores of taxpayers’ money has been spent on these machines, yet they remain parked without serving their intended purpose,” Sinha said. He called for immediate action to deploy trained drivers and make the vehicles operational.

Attempts to Address the Issue

While some of the cleaning equipment was briefly tested during initial trials, their usage was discontinued due to the driver shortage. In the meantime, the corporation continues to rely on older vehicles, including tractors, to manage the city’s waste.

Officials have hinted at potential long-term solutions, including the recruitment of trained drivers or collaboration with third-party contractors to operate the machinery. However, delays in implementation have compounded the issue, leaving the city’s sanitation efforts in a precarious state.

Rising Maintenance Costs and Risks

Experts warn that the prolonged idleness of these high-cost vehicles could result in increased maintenance expenses. Mechanical parts exposed to the elements are likely to corrode, rendering the equipment less efficient or entirely unusable.

“Apart from the financial loss, the inability to utilize these vehicles undermines the city’s sanitation goals and leaves residents exposed to unhygienic conditions,” a local sanitation expert commented.

Call for Immediate Action

As the city awaits a resolution, pressure mounts on the Giridih Municipal Corporation to expedite the deployment of skilled drivers. Citizens and advocacy groups are urging the Urban Development Department to prioritize this issue to prevent further financial losses and ensure the city’s cleanliness.

The situation serves as a stark reminder of the importance of planning and resource management in public infrastructure projects. Without immediate intervention, Giridih’s state-of-the-art cleaning vehicles risk becoming yet another example of wasted public resources.