The Rawalpindi Waste Management Authority (RWMA) is grappling with significant operational challenges as many of its garbage transport vehicles are in a state of disrepair. Several trucks have been reported to leak decomposed waste and contaminated water while en route to the main dumping site, raising serious hygiene concerns.
Despite an annual maintenance budget reportedly amounting to Rs380 million, the fleet continues to function with minimal upkeep. Over 200 vehicles are said to be in a severely deteriorated condition, highlighting a gap between allocated funds and actual maintenance work.
In a notable development, the maintenance contract has been awarded to the same contractor for three consecutive years, prompting questions about the transparency and accountability of the contracting process. Workers, speaking anonymously, revealed that many garbage collection trucks frequently break down during their routes and remain stranded on city roads for hours before replacement vehicles arrive.
Delays in routine maintenance are common, with oil changes reportedly neglected for months. Additionally, spare parts are often missing or allegedly stolen, exacerbating the fleet’s poor condition. Visual evidence shows vehicles with broken headlights, rusted exteriors, and makeshift repairs, including drivers using ropes to secure steering components and doors.
In some alarming cases, vehicles have caught fire while in operation, a recurring problem that endangers both workers and the public. One driver, requesting anonymity, described the situation as dire, noting the long waits for replacement vehicles when breakdowns occur.
Public outcry has intensified, with citizens demanding a thorough inquiry into the expenditure and contracting procedures. Questions have been raised about the management of funds allocated for vehicle repairs and maintenance, with residents seeking clarity on how the substantial annual budget is being utilized.
Calls have been made urging Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to initiate an investigation into the matter. Meanwhile, RWMA officials have remained unresponsive to repeated attempts to obtain their comments on the issue.
