Bengaluru: The
BBMP in association with Indian Tobacco Company Ltd. launched the zero
garbage initiative in 12 wards on Monday, July 1, which, incidentally,
is celebrated as National Recycling Day.

The BBMP had
promised to initiate the pilot project in 30 wards but Transport
Minister Ramalinga Reddy launched it in just 12 wards.

Reddy,
who is also Bengaluru district-in charge, stated the obvious when he
said that the active involvement of citizens is essential for BBMP’s
segregation at source scheme to succeed. The initiative will be launch
in 22 wards in the first phase and later extended in all the wards that
have a Dry Waste Collection Centre (DWCC), he said.

Speaking
to reporters after the launch, he said that he had never seen so severe
a garbage problem in 29 years of public life. He said that he has
directed the BBMP commissioner to take stern action against those who
fail in their duties of garbage clearance. He also suggested a penalty
for erring contractors or even black listing them.

Chikpet
MLA R.V. Devaraj said that the zero garbage initiative must be
activated in areas that produce more garbage such as markets and bus
stands. The initiative should be replicated in Sudhamanagar and
Dharmarayaswamy Temple wards, where K.R. Market, Kalasipalya bus stand,
Victoria Hospital, Vani Vilas Hospital and Kempe Gowda Institute of
Medical Sciences are located.