Following agitation by residents of Pachchanady against dumping poultry and other non-vegetarian waste at a waste-yard in the area, the Mangalore City Corporation has shifted its location.
The waste is now being dumped at a site opposite the existing dumping yard where the MCC has a compost plant. The waste will be buried in pits and covered with mud daily.
According to Rajesh Kottari, councillor, Pachchanady ward, the residents took up the issue after some bags of non-vegetarian waste were found on the side of the road connecting Vamanjoor and Bondel Church. It attracted dogs and birds, and emanated a foul smell. Mr. Kottari said that some lorry drivers dumped the waste by the roadside. He also alleged that the waste dumped in the yard was not being covered with mud, and that some unauthorised private persons were being allowed to enter the yard to dump waste.
However, MCC Environment Engineer Manjunath R. Shetty said the waste had been dumped on the road inside the yard and not on Vamanjoor-Bondel Church Road as alleged.
Following protests in front of the MCC office on Wednesday night and at Pachchanady on Thursday, the Commissioner of the corporation visited Pachchanady and directed the location of dump to be shifted to the opposite side.
He said the waste dumped on the roadside has been removed.
Mr. Kottari said the compost plant site did not have a gate for its compound.
Mr. Shetty said fabrication of a new gate has been ordered for the venue near the compost plant. He said the security staff would be changed within a week to prevent entry of unauthorised persons. Boulders have also been placed to prevent unauthorised entry into the yard, he added. Any private parties wanting to dump waste would have to obtain MCC permission, he said. The MCC charged Rs. 250 for one load of large vehicle and Rs. 150 for small vehicles.
He added that the heavy rains had caused the delay in covering it adequately.
Mr. Kottari said that if the promises are not fulfilled within a week the residents would take up the issue again.
