In November last year, the BBMP had announced that it would install 2,500 CCTV cameras near black spots to clamp down on illegal dumping of garbage. People who were caught on the cameras would be levied a hefty fine depending on the amount of garbage being dumped. The minimum fine was set at ₹1,000. Almost a year after the announcement, however, little has changed.
Though a budget of ₹10 lakh from the Solid Waste Management department of the BBMP was provided to install the cameras in every ward, in most wards the money has not been utilised for that purpose. The garbage dumping menace continues — for the most part unchecked — at various black spots across the city, sometimes right below a banner put up by the BBMP warning people of a fine.
In HBR Layout for instance, the BBMP had put up a board near a footpath in 4th block stating that dumping of garbage is not allowed, but this is the exact spot where a pile of garbage lies uncleared.
Hariprasad S., a resident of HBR Layout, said that repeated complaints to the BBMP have not resulted in any action. “Garbage has been piling up for many months now. When we lodge a complaint with the BBMP, someone comes and clears the garbage, but the very next day garbage is back at the same spot,” he said. BBMP workers themselves dump garbage at the spot, Mr. Hariprasad alleged, and added that people from nearby areas too come in scooters and fling garbage bags there.
“The footpath is completely out of bounds for pedestrians, and a bad smell emanates from the place. The BBMP should clean the place up so that people are discouraged from dumping again. Just placing a warning banner does not help,” said other residents of HBR Layout.
On high alert
Taking matters into their own hands, residents of Kaggadasapura have been maintaining strict vigil to ensure that the main road — a ‘favourite black spot’ remains clean. Tired of getting no response from the BBMP, residents themselves had cleaned the black spot in the first week of September.
“All of us are on high alert. Whenever someone spots a garbage truck, we inform others. So far, we have been successful in stopping garbage being dumped here, but this is not a permanent solution. The BBMP should assure us that garbage will not come back on the road,” said Tammana, who lives in the area.
Frustration at Jaraganahalli
Residents of Jaraganahalli have not been this lucky. A couple of days ago, they had crowd-sourced funds and cleaned up an open spot on the Kanakapura Main Road which was being used as a dumping site and fenced the area. But now, garbage has started reappearing. “We are struggling to get the road and footpath cleared of the garbage. We have been continuously following up with various agencies,” said Aleem, a resident of the area.
Many other areas have been dealing with black spots, including BEML Hospital Road, HSR Layout and K.R. Puram.
