Apartment dwellers dish out the dirt on BBMP

Bangalore 28/02/2011 : Rise and the fall! As the Number of Highrise buildings are rising up, more number of trees going down in the once Garden City Bangalore. Photo: K_GOPINATHAN

With the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) asking bulk generators of waste, including residential apartments with more than 10 units, to process wet waste and garden waste themselves, those living in these multi-dwelling units are apprehensive that the civic body may not lift garbage from their premises.

The BBMP, in its public notice issued on September 21, had stated that bulk generators must process wet waste and garden waste within their premises and wherever it is not possible (due to space constraints), it could be handed over to private composters or to the BBMP’s wet waste collectors on payment.

This has not gone down well with citizens living in apartments. The managers of a few apartments pointed out that the BBMP does not collect garbage from them in the first place. Sarvanam, manager of Ashoka Enclave that houses 39 dwelling units on Netaji Road in Fraser Town, said BBMP’s collectors, citing various reasons, don’t turn up there to pick up the waste and that the residents’ association pays about Rs. 600 every month to a private party.

“A meeting of the residents’ association has been convened to discuss how to segregate waste at source. After that, a decision will be taken on communicating the matter to the residents,” he added.

‘Ad hoc decision’

Suresh Hari, secretary of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (Credai), said the BBMP cannot suddenly take ad hoc decisions. “It cannot refuse to collect garbage, as it is an essential service. Also, in the public notice, the BBMP said bulk generators are those who generate more than 100 kg of waste. How will the BBMP quantify this in case of residential apartments?”

Citizens living in apartments pay taxes and cesses. Hence, the BBMP cannot deny them a service. “While we are all for green values, we feel that a long-term approach is needed. The BBMP should clarify its stand,” Mr. Hari added.

BBMP Commissioner Rajneesh Goel told The Hindu Mayor D. Venkatesh Murthy had already clarified the issue by giving two months time for bulk generators to have wet waste processing units in place on their premises. “If they are not able to do so, the BBMP will pick up the waste at a nominal charge. The charge is being levied to inculcate a sense of ownership among citizens.”

Technology aid

The Karnataka State Biofuel Development Board had various technologies that the apartment complexes could adopt. “They will be able to earn their investment in two years’ time.” Mr. Goel said the BBMP would meet with representatives of Credai to discuss the issue on Friday.