ISLAMABAD: After repeatedly cancelling the tendering process, the CDA is once again preparing to invite bids for outsourcing Islamabad’s solid waste management system.

The CDA has already called for bids at least three times, but that were subsequently cancelled. The last time, the bid for a project worth Rs25 billion spanning 10 years was scheduled to be opened on April 25, but it was later scrapped.

However, a meeting chaired by CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa on Monday was informed by the relevant wing that bidding documents have been finalised and advertisements will soon be issued for outsourcing solid waste management.

CDA is temporarily transporting garbage through its contract with the Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) to Losar. The CDA collects waste with its own staff and moves it to the I-9 waste station before transferring it to Losar in Rawalpindi via RWMC. In addition to that, in Losar, the CDA plans to construct its own landfill site, as the CDA board approved this project a few months ago.

It is important to note that in the absence of waste disposal systems in rural areas, residents dispose of garbage in open spaces and nullahs. The new company will be responsible for citywide cleanliness and waste collection.

Since its establishment in 1960, the CDA has failed to provide a proper landfill site for the capital. Instead of establishing a dedicated site, the civic agency has kept shifting the landfill location from one place to another.

Before relocating to Losar, the CDA dumped waste in the residential sector of I-12. However, this practice was halted last year, and currently, the civic agency is carrying out cleanliness and development work in sector I-12. Meanwhile, a press release issued by the CDA on Monday stated that an important meeting was held at the CDA Headquarters with the CDA chief in attendance.

The meeting was attended by CDA Member Admin and Estate Talat Mehmood, Member Finance Tahir Naeem, Member Environment Esfandyar Baloch, Director General Environment, Chief Officer MCI, and Director DMA.

The meeting discussed comprehensive plans for digital parking, digital streamers, solid waste management, and beautification projects in Islamabad. Among other issues, the briefing on the solid waste management system confirmed that bidding documents had been finalised.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2025