With continuing problems at landfill sites, the city’s garbage crisis seems to be getting messier. On Thursday, garbage contractors staged a protest in front of the office of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Commissioner Rajneesh Goel demanding security for their vehicles.
After meeting the garbage contractors, Mr. Goel announced the BBMP would form a squad of five officials who will manage the sites during night. They will be posted at the landfills on a rotation basis.
Deepavali festival
Speaking to The Hindu , S.N. Balasubramaniyam, garbage contractor and general secretary of Bangalore Mahanagara Swachathe Mathu Lorry Malikara Hagoo Guttigedarara Sangha, said there was need for increased security for their vehicles as well as employees when they go to dump the garbage at landfills at night-time.
With Deepavali fast approaching, the problems there should be resolved on priority. “The garbage generated during the festival is bound to increase. We are not ready to face flak from citizens. At least to clear the garbage during the festival season, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike must follow the October 16 court order and allow multiple trips to the landfills. We had argued that if multiple trips are allowed, no garbage will be left uncollected in the city,” Mr. Balasubramaniyam said.
He also alleged that the BBMP officials were trying to scuttle the Commissioner’s efforts on segregation of garbage at source. Also, the segregation policy did not take into account practical problems.
“The farmers who want pure wet waste demand half a tonne or one tonne. The capacity of our vehicles is not less than 12 tonnes. What are we supposed to do with the remaining 11 tonnes?”
Meanwhile, Mayor D. Venkatesh Murthy urged the government to identify land for new landfills. He met Deputy Chief Minister K.S. Eshwarappa, who is also Revenue Minister, and apprised him of the crisis, seeking land on the city’s outskirts so that waste can be processed there.
Road repair plan
With the water being supplied to the newly added areas under the Cauvery 4th Stage 2nd Phase, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board has dug up several roads in these areas, affecting traffic and pedestrians. The Mayor sought an action plan to repair these roads.
