Even as an embattled Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is trying to find its way around the mess its solid waste management system is in, garbage continues to pile up across the city. Contributing to the paralysis is non-payment of salaries to pourakarmikas contracted with the BBMP.
Nothing could be more ironic than the large heap of garbage spilling on to the narrow road in Jogupalya that leads to Ulsoor Main Road, opposite the BBMP-run choultry and school.
Unbearable stink
Jaloo Sarkari, resident of an apartment opposite the school, said: “They collect the garbage on a regular basis, but still a major part of it lies here. Mosquitoes breed and the stink is unbearable.”
The school students are also distressed. Said Vidya L., a student, gesturing: “This heap makes the place look very dirty and it is unhygienic.”
Another resident who wanted to remain anonymous said that leftovers from the choultry too are dumped on the heap, making matters worse.
Not paid
Meanwhile, a pourakarmika who refused to give her name and said she had not been paid for three months, blamed garbage trucks. “For the past three days, garbage has not been cleared as the lorry drivers had a fight. Otherwise, they clear it every day,” she said.
Jogupalya councillor M. Gautham Kumar claimed that he was unaware of the problem.
“There are two points of disposal from where garbage is picked up every day. Every morning the lorry carries garbage from there. I haven’t received any complaints but shall look into the matter,” he said.
