Timber auction by GVMC put on hold

Workers clearing the tree that fell on the Mobile ATM parked on the premises of Andhra Bank Regional Office at Seetammadhara in Visakhapatnam due to Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Hudhud in Visakhapatnam. A file Photo: CV. Subrahmanyam

The auction of timber from trees felled by cyclone Hudhud that fetched Rs.20.35 lakh has been kept on hold. The timber has been stocked in 93 dumps in eight zones of GVMC.

“I have asked some personnel to open eight lots in the eight zones and to inspect and assess their value. Depending on that whether the bids made on Monday will be accepted or not will be decided. Until then the auction is put on hold,” Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana told The Hindu on Wednesday.

The wood has been categorised as the biggest in the lot, medium-sized and the remaining garbage, leaves etc for the assessment.

However, the Minister saw some reason in the explanation given by bidders. They are not able to assess what the lots comprised with everything dumped there.

One of the reasons for quickly disposing of the dumps was the fear of their catching fire, he said. As many as 43 fire engines have been stationed to prevent any fire. In spite of it, fire was reported at two dumps.

Visakhapatnam North MLA P. Vishnu Kumar Raju said the sawn-off parts quite big in size were kept in the lots first and on that branches, debris and leaves etc were thrown making assessment difficult.