Transforming Quetta: The “Safa Quetta” Project
The planning team of the Green Bus initiative in Quetta (P3 Authority) and the Metropolitan Corporation Administrator have joined forces for a groundbreaking project aimed at revolutionizing the city of Quetta.
As Steve Jobs famously stated in “The Crazy Ones,” it is the dreamers who want to change the world that truly make a difference. This project is poised to transform Quetta permanently.
Integrated Solid Waste Management Project
The Integrated Solid Waste Management Project, which focuses on sustainable cleanliness and waste management, has been approved by the Public-Private Partnership Board and the provincial cabinet. Following an international competitive bidding process, which was promoted in seven international and national newspapers including Gulf Times, the project is now ready to launch. Phase-wise operations will commence on August 14, 2024.
Key Features of the Project
The project promises several innovative features, including:
- Door-to-Door Waste Collection: Ensuring efficient waste collection from each household.
- Transportation and Recycling: Streamlined processes for transporting waste and promoting recycling efforts.
- Technology Integration: Monitoring and evaluation through advanced technologies.
- Community and Independent Oversight: Ensuring compliance and imposing penalties through community and independent monitoring.
- Performance-Based Sustainability: The project’s duration will be based on sustainable performance.
The project’s costs will be shared between the government and private partners, with the government contributing only 30% of the total cost. The remaining expenses will be covered by the private sector through recycling, compost generation, waste-to-energy initiatives, and carbon credits.
Facing Challenges
Despite its potential, the project faces resistance similar to that encountered by the Green Bus initiative during its launch. Certain stakeholders within the Metropolitan Corporation are concerned about losing their income streams once the project begins. Notably, the MCQ (Metropolitan Corporation Quetta) was spending over 700 million rupees annually on diesel, amounting to 2 billion rupees in total expenses. Unfortunately, Quetta has become a dumping ground due to the negligence of certain elements that have contributed to its decline over the decades.
Call to Action for Quetta’s Citizens
Now is the time for the youth and residents of Quetta to support this transformative initiative. Remember, all developed cities have undergone similar transformative challenges. This is the movement that Quetta needs.
If Quetta is to change, then this is the project that can transform it into one of the cleanest and greenest cities in the country.
The initiative is aptly named “Safa Quetta” & “Kar Ke Rahengay”