After segregation of waste at source became mandatory, the number of black spots across the city has increased. These are spots on street corners and junctions where citizens are dumping mixed waste.
To overcome this problem, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is planning to put garbage bins at these vulnerable spots. This was discussed during a review meeting on Saturday.
“It will be easier to monitor these black spots if the bins are put there. The meeting decided to appoint an agency to spray EM Solution (which hastens decomposition of garbage) on the bins every day to ensure there is no odour,” an official said.
Each bin is likely to be around eight feet high and their circumference will be decided based on the availability of space. Each bin is likely to cost the BBMP around Rs. 25,000. The official added that zonal commissioners had been asked to identify around 50 vulnerable black spots in their jurisdiction.
Commissioner Rajneesh Goel has also directed local health inspectors to monitor the black spots. BBMP officials after clearing these spots have to put up a notice warning people against dumping waste there. These notice reads: “As per order of the High Court and the BBMP, dumping of garbage [on] roads is prohibited. Anyone found violating this order will be fined.”
‘Levy fine’
A senior BBMP official said it was not possible for health officials to monitor the black spots by stationing themselves there. “The only way to ensure that dumping is prevented is by levying a fine. However, many areas are not under CCTV coverage. Thus, we may not be able to identify those who dump garbage there,” the official said.
Asked about the measures initiated to ensure there is no garbage pileup during Deepavali, which is round the corner, the official said the Commissioner had directed zonal commissioners to hire extra vehicles and manpower and keep them on standby. “We expect around 20 per cent excess garbage to be generated on the festival days. This will mainly constitute firecracker waste,” the official added.
Meanwhile, Vaman Acharya, chairperson of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), said the board would closely monitor air pollution levels during the festival.
About the garbage crisis, he said the BBMP was still looking for land to set up garbage processing units. “These processing yards/units should be garbage factories where resources are recovered and secondary arrangements are made for segregation. There are laws regarding the maintenance of landfills and processing units.”
He added that the BBMP could not just take the waste generated in the city and dump it on the city’s outskirts or in quarry pits.
“The KSPCB knows that this is being done at the moment. We are quiet now as we want the crisis to settle a bit. After that, we will get on their back to ensure that all rules and regulations of the garbage are followed.”
