The city generates nearly 4,000 tonnes of solid waste each day, management of which the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is still trying to grapple with.
Towards managing solid waste effectively, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has proposed to set up segregation units in all 198 wards, according to which waste generated in each ward will be segregated so that a large part can be recycled, reducing the burden on landfills.
A week’s time
Commissioner M.K. Shankarlinge Gowda on Wednesday urged councillors to identify locations in their wards where segregation units could be set up. “They have the responsibility of choosing [non-litigious] spaces. A sum of Rs. 20 lakh to Rs. 25 lakh has been earmarked to set up these units. A list of the possible [locations] can be submitted in a week,” he said.
He said the space would have to be big enough for a lorry/ truck to go inside and dump the garbage for segregation. The 15,000 rag pickers who have been given identity cards by the BBMP can be asked to segregate garbage in these units.
“We will be using funds from the 13th Finance Commission for this. The first principle in solid waste management is segregation. We have for long been taking the easy way out by dumping waste from the city on the doorsteps of villagers on the outskirts. This cannot go on for long. This year, segregation units must be set up in at least 100 wards across the city,” Mr. Gowda said
Pattabhiramanagar councillor C.K. Ramamurthy and nominated councillor Channagiriyappa pointed out that segregation units were set up in a few wards were not being maintained. To this, Basavanagudi councillor B.S. Sathyanarayana said BBMP must first convince the public why garbage segregation is crucial. After giving all the councillors a patient hearing, Mayor D. Venkatesh Murthy quipped: “We are all experts at giving suggestions. Instead, let us all take the first step in our respective wards and reduce plastic use.” He said the BBMP could explore the possibility of a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh to the councillor who has been able to walk the talk in his/her ward.
