LAHORE - In view of the ongoing worse law and order situation due to massive terror attacks, four private companies including two multinationals have pulled out of the multi-million Solid Waste Management (SWM) privatisation plan causing derailment of much-awaited project. Sources in SWM revealed that authority concerned had extended time more than twice for these companies to submit their final proposals in order to finalise the plan but these companies kept using delaying tactics. As a last resort, SWM high ups convened a joint meeting of these companies by the end of October, 2009 but none of these turn up on the occasion. Senior official of SWM told The Nation that one of the representatives of the company informed the authority concerned that it was interested to be part of project but deteriorating law and order had compelled it to pull back. SWM official said terrorism had deserted the plan of privatisation. Private companies of France and China along with two local companies including Waste Buster were engaged in the privatisation plan of SWM over the last few months. These companies had given some outlines to solve the issues of disposing solid waste from collection centres to landfill sites through scientific ways. These proposals include recycling to public awareness, capacity building programme, social programme for waste pickers, composting as a sustainable waste disposal method, establishment of a marketing strategy for the compost, plastic waste collection and treatment, waste statistics research, waste generation and composition, reducing the volume of waste for landfills, simplification of the fragmentation of responsibilities, especially through the setting up public corporations. However, these private companies started losing their interest for huge investment in the project after alarming increase in terrorism. The situation was noticed first time in June, 2009 when the private companies evaded to attend the meeting summoned by government to discuss details of the project. Korea International Cooperation Agency and World Banks recent joint study suggested that public and private sector joint efforts are need of the hour. Solution of SWM problems is commonly proposed to contract service provision with the private sector in the belief that service efficiency and coverage will improve and environmental protection will also be enhanced. According to the study said the City is generating around 9,000 tons of waste per day. Waste generation per capita ranges 0.5 to 0.65 kg per day, higher than other cities except Multan and DG Khan. Ravi Town among 9 towns in the City has the highest rate of waste generation. The SWM has the capacity to deal with only 5,000 tons of waste, while the rest of 4,000 tons remains laying in open spaces. Study further revealed that unfortunately, none of the cities in Punjab especially Lahore has a proper solid waste management system right from collection of solid waste up to its disposal. There is no proper door-to-door collection system, placement of containers or transfer stations. It has been observed that the service of street, road sweeping is not regular and is mainly limited to administrative, commercial and other industrial areas. Moreover, the number of formal collection bins such as masonry enclosures, containers and trolleys are too less to accommodate the waste generated in these cities. Further these points are not located according to population and area requirements. Presently, SWM is disposing of solid waste at three landfill sites located at Mehmood Booti, Baghrian and Sagian Bridge. CDGL sources revealed that none of the three sites were environment-friendly and were disposing of waste in violation of rules and regulations formulated by the Ministry of Environment. Report said that as the public desire for a clean environment increases, a society needs adequate waste collection services and waste treatment, disposal facilities. Regardless, the provision of municipal solid waste services is a costly, the extensiveness of service coverage is often low, resources are insufficient, and uncontrolled dumping is commonly widespread, resulting in environmental problems. Moreover, local govts cannot afford to provide the service to everyone. Solid Waste Management Bylaws 2005 lacks legal framework on solid waste management in the country. Presently the legal rules and institutional framework dealing with solid waste management in the country include, Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (PEPA) 1997, Section 11 of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act prohibits discharge of waste in an amount or concentration that violates the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS), Hazardous Substances Rules of 1999, Guidelines for Hospital Waste Management since 1998 prepared by the Environmental Health Unit of the Ministry of Health, Government of Pakistan and Hospital Waste Management Rules. Before promulgation of the local government in 2001, the provincial Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) was responsible for the development and maintenance of water and sanitation services including solid waste management.