CDA Reviews Grievance Over Islamabad’s Mega Solid Waste Management Tender

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has heard a grievance complaint filed by a joint venture (JV) challenging its disqualification from a multi-billion rupee solid waste management project involving sanitation, garbage collection, and transportation of waste to landfill sites. According to sources, three JVs had submitted bids for the project covering both urban and rural areas of Islamabad. During the technical evaluation process, two bidders were declared non-responsive, leaving only one JV in the competition. The Atlas Pak Waste Management Company challenged CDA’s decision, arguing that its disqualification was against PPRA rules and the bidding documents. During the hearing, the company’s representatives maintained that CDA had disqualified the JV over a supposedly missing document that had already been submitted with the financial bid and was available with the authority.

The CDA grievance committee heard the arguments and informed the representatives that it would review the record before making a decision. Sources said that if the JV is declared eligible, competition between the bidders over financial rates could resume, allowing the contract to be awarded to the lowest bidder. Meanwhile, the Senate Standing Committee on Interior has also taken up the matter and directed CDA to provide complete details of the Solid Waste Management Project, including project costs, timelines, tender documents, evaluation reports, complaints, legal proceedings, and bidding data.

CDA officials stated that grievance filing is part of the regular procurement process and that the authority follows PPRA rules. The new cleanliness contracts, covering Islamabad’s urban and rural areas, are expected to cost around Rs4 billion annually and will be awarded for four years. The CDA currently manages waste collection in urban areas through its own staff, private workers, and hired machinery, while rural areas continue to face challenges due to the absence of a comprehensive waste management system.