Though the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) promotes segregation of waste at source as an answer to the city’s mounting garbage worries, its own garbage contractors could be the reason for the failure of a citizens’ initiative in this regard.
The Citizen’s Forum of Yelahanka New Town, which initiated a segregation of waste at source project in their locality a few months ago, was aghast to find the BBMP garbage collectors mixing up the segregated waste, undoing all their efforts. Forum member Shankunni told The Hindu they had made it a practice to segregate waste at source with much enthusiasm. “Bags sponsored by a private company were provided to collect dry waste separately. Initially, we even went along with the garbage collection van to make sure that it collected dry waste separately.”
Things seemed to work for a while. However, when new garbage contractors took over about a month ago, they were insensitive to the waste segregation efforts, said Mr. Shankunni, and dumped the segregated garbage together, unmindful of the residents’ efforts.
Now, the residents are mooting recycling the waste in composting pits and biodigester plants in Yelahanka New Town itself.
“We even discussed the idea with BBMP officials and the local MLA who agreed for a trial run. However, the BBMP official, who was in charge, was changed recently and so there has been no progress whatsoever in the matter.” The residents now have approached Gas Authority of India Ltd. (GAIL) to provide funds for their project.
