With the garbage disposal system in a mess after two
landfills closed, the immediate fallout may be on the pockets of
citizens in Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits. The civic
authority is mooting a doubling of the garbage cess though the decision
will be taken at the council meeting at the end of the month.

Higher costs

The
proposal is said to have gained steam following increased garbage
transportation costs to landfills at Mandur and the one near
Rajarajeshwarinagar, after the two at Mavallipura and Terrafarma were
closed.

The cost of providing compensatory facilities to those living near these landfills is also a factor in the new rates.

Delegation

A
BBMP delegation, including Mayor D. Venkatesh Murthy, met Chief
Minister Jagadish Shettar here on Tuesday to put forth its proposals,
which include identifying new temporary landfills. The city generates
close to 5,000 tonnes of garbage a day.

Present rates

The
decision to levy the cess on all properties was taken in 2011 after the
BBMP found itself spending Rs. 200 crore a year on solid waste
management. There are separate slabs and the cess is paid along with
property tax.

Currently, residential properties built
on an area less than 1,000 sq. ft are charged Rs. 10 a month, 1,001 sq.
ft to 3,000 sq. ft Rs. 30, and over 3,001 sq. ft, Rs. 50.

However,
S. Venkatesh Babu, who heads the BBMP’s Standing Committee on Public
Health, said a hike in garbage cess was a distant prospect as at least
five new projects for solid waste management were in the pipeline.

“We
are also asking for more compactors than trucks as they are more
efficient,” he said. Tuesday’s meeting was to discuss the reviewed
estimation for garbage collection tenders, he added.

• Garbage disposal system is in a mess after two landfills were closed
•  BBMP proposal includes identification of new temporary landfills