The Kudlu, Hosapalya, Harlur, Somasundarapalya and Parangipalya (KHHSP) Resident Welfare Association is demanding that the Karnataka Compost Development Corporation plant in HSR Layout be shut down if it cannot be run following norms.
Despite the promise by BBMP to control odour from the plant, no measures have been initiated, said members of the group at a press meet on Saturday.
“The plant is in the middle of a residential area, and the foul odour is affecting the lives of residents,” said Kavitha Reddy, a member of KHHSP RWA forum. “We are living in a mini-Maddur.” She claims that leachate from the plant was polluting the nearby lake. “If the KCDC cannot run the plant ensuring that safety norms are followed, it should shut down the plant.”
Ms. Reddy adds that it is unfair on the residents that waste from other areas is also brought in to be processed here. “We initially cooperated with them and asked them to reduce the amount of waste being processed at the plant. More then 250 to 300 tonnes of waste is being processed daily. If the plant cannot adhere to guidelines laid by the court, it should be shut down.”
The RWA has sent a detailed report on problems caused by the plant to the Chief Minister’s office, the BBMP and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. “We did a petition which was submitted to BBMP, KSPCB and other official bodies less than four weeks ago and ran a postcard campaign in parallel. With no action happening, it is time to intensify our protests,” said Lalithamba B.V., a member of the RWA.
This is not the first time residents of the five areas have raised their voice against the KCDC plant. Following protests in 2008, the plant remained shut till 2013 but was reopened after clearance from the Solid Waste Management Expert Committee. A year ago, the residents had protested saying the plant was not being run as per regulations and last month around 5,000 school students wrote to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seeking some action. The RWA is contemplating approaching the Green Tribunal if its demand is not met.
