Cuttack: The municipal corporation's problems over implementation of its Integrated Solid Waste Management Project- 2016 in the city have now developed into what could be said an administrative failure.

The civic administration has apparently failed to convince the government to approve the tender finalised by it for a five-year contract to a private firm to execute the project.

Now, it has come under flak from the Congress for delay in implementing the project for consequent disarray in municipal waste management and appalling sanitation scenario in various parts of the city. City Congress activists demonstrated in front of the municipal corporation headquarters on Monday demanding streamlining of garbage collection at the earliest.

City Congress president Md Moquim, who led the agitation, said: "What can you expect from a civic administration that is unable to finalise a tender in a process proper enough to pass through scrutiny - be it legal or administrative - even after two years?"

The civic body had not been able to complete the tender process in its first attempt as the high court felt it had invited tenders intended to eliminate potential bidders for execution of the project even at the cost of causing possible huge loss to the public exchequer. After issuing a stay order in September 20, 2016, the high court had quashed the process and directed it to invite fresh bids in July 2017.

Subsequently, the municipal corporation had invited fresh bids for the project in September 2017 and finalised the tender in favour of New Delhi-based Metro Waste Handling Private Limited when it emerged as the lowest bidder.

Though the decision was again challenged, the high court endorsed it and gave its nod to go ahead with it. But now, the government seems not keen to approve it.

"Ad hoc arrangements have resulted in unprecedented chaos in garbage collection and disposal in the city over the past couple of years," the city Congress president said.