Put your money where your mouth is, Mavallipura residents tell BBMP

The residents of Mavallipura have reiterated that fresh dumping of garbage would not be allowed unless the 40 lakh tonnes of waste accumulated in the landfill is properly and scientifically cleared.

Gantiganahalli panchayat member Ramesh said the Bruhat Bangalore Mahangara Palike (BBMP) has failed to keep its promise made two months back to clear the existing garbage. Fresh dumping will not be allowed unless the area is decontaminated as directed by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Mr. Ramesh told presspersons here Friday, after meeting Mayor D. Venkatesh Murthy and BBMP Chief Engineer Ananth Swamy.

On the BBMP’s proposal to supply drinking water and develop the roads at a cost of Rs. 8 crore to Mavallipura residents, he said: “We are not waiting for the BBMP to develop the roads. Our panchayat and the State government will rebuild the roads. What we are demanding is to decontaminate the area and scientifically segregate the waste besides supplying us Cauvery water.”

Mayor Murthy, acknowledging that dumping the city’s garbage for two decades had caused health problems to communities around the landfill, said even promised initiatives such as health camps and water supply were yet to start. A decision on the next course of action on Mavallipura would be taken after the High Court hears a public interest litigation petition on November 20.