GPS devices to help track all garbage collection vehicles

Coimbatore: The city corporation has started equipping garbage collection vehicles with the Global Positioning System (GPS) to prevent the misuse of the same.
According to corporation commissioner M Prathap, 55 trucks and 250 mini trucks are used for collecting garbage.
While the mini trucks are used to collect garbage from bins and at doorsteps, trucks are used to transport garbage to Vellalore dump yard.
“Presently, all the trucks are fitted with GPS. The work to equip the mini trucks with GPS has begun. This will help us monitor the movement of vehicles and ensure that they are following the route assigned to them. We had in the past received complaints that some of the vehicles were used by bulk waste generators. This issue could be addressed with the help of GPS,” the commissioner said. He said each vehicle would be assigned a route map. “If deviations are noticed, explanations will be sought from the employees. The monitoring will be done through the integrated command and control centre, which is being developed under the smart city scheme.”
Another official said the decision to equip the vehicles was taken earlier this year when the issue of misuse was brought to the notice of the commissioner. “A compactor vehicle was caught carrying garbage from outside the city to Vellalore dump yard.”