The garbage mafia is once again controlling solid waste management in the city, alleged N.R. Ramesh, Yediyur councillor.
He pointed out that this was in violation of the High Court’s directive to Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in September 2013 to ensure that the contracts with the garbage mafia (old contractors) are scrapped.
“However, among the 93 wards, the garbage mafia is involved in solid waste management in 79 wards. Though the garbage contracts are in the some other names, the vehicles are all registered in the names of the old contractors,” he pointed out.
Expenditure on solid waste management in wards under the old contractors was nearly three times of that being spent in wards under the new contractors. He added that the BBMP spends Rs. 28.23 crore a month for solid waste management. Excluding tipping fees, the total annual expenditure on solid waste management adds up to Rs. 382.8 crore.
Mr. Ramesh said that a new contractor, who was awarded the tender for solid waste management in Vasanthnagar and Sampangiramanagar on March 19 and asked to take up work on March 21, was informed a day later that his contract had been cancelled. “The officials stated that his work was unsatisfactory. How could they come to the conclusion in just one day?” he said and alleged that the officials were hand-in-glove with the garbage mafia.
Sampangiramanagar councillor M. Gopi said that his ward was a high-profile ward with VIP movements. The old contractor, who is still managing garbage clearance, had failed to clear waste near Raj Bhavan, Vidhana Soudha and Lokayukta office.
“The new contractor borrowed heavily to procure machinery. When the contract was cancelled, he tried to attempt suicide,” Mr. Gopi claimed.
Special Commissioner V. Yeshwanth said that zonal commissioners were responsible for solid waste management.
“We have submitted before the High Court that the old garbage contractors will not be allowed to manage solid waste. If the old contractors are found working in some wards, we will initiate action against the zonal commissioners concerned,” Mr. Yeshwanth said.
