India, Sept. 15 -- Relief from garbage mismanagement in Delhi's Central, South and West zones is unlikely for at least another four to five months even as the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has initiated bidding for new waste management contracts worth Rs.3,326 crore, senior municipal officials said.

These three zones, covering nearly 70 of the city's 250 municipal wards and home to about 30 lakh residents, have been grappling with a waste crisis since the expiry of contracts with previous operators. New concessionaires are yet to be appointed.

According to officials, the MCD will spend an estimated Rs.933 crore for a seven-year contract in the Central zone, Rs.1,123 crore in the West zone, and Rs.1,180 crore in the South zone. "T...