The Hindu 30.08.2012
BBMP utterly failed to manage garbage: pollution panel chief
Even as the garbage is turning out to be one of the
city’s biggest problems, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB)
Chairperson A.S. Sadashivaiah lambasted the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara
Palike for failing to contain the situation.
Speaking
on the sidelines of a symposium, Role of Media in Protecting
Environment, jointly organised by KSPCB, Visvesvaraya Technological
University (VTU), Belgaum, and Bangalore Reporters’ Guild, Mr.
Sadashivaiah said it was unfortunate BBMP had failed to initiate any
measures despite KSPCB slapping 29 notices on it for mismanagement of
solid waste.
Still waiting for ATR
“We
had sought an action taken report (ATR) within seven days and it has
been seven weeks now. People’s health was also a major concern that
forced us to ban garbage dumping in Mavallipura,” Mr. Sadashivaiah said.
The
ban was supposed to be in force only till the pressure on Mavallipura
eased. “But Ramky Enviro Engineers, the firm in charge of garbage
processing in Mavallipura, stopped processing abruptly. This further
created problems and the Mayor has today announced that Mavallipura
landfill would be closed if the BBMP council approves it. This is the
right thing at this juncture.”
Pointing out that
Mandur and Terrafirma landfills still had the capacity to take the
city’s garbage, Mr. Sadashivaiah said the need of the hour was to ensure
decentralised ward-level segregation and composting. “This will reduce
the total load on the landfills and help in the long run,” he said.
No real estate mafia
Mr.
Sadashivaiah dismissed rumours that the real estate mafia was
instigating the people of Mandur to oppose dumping there. “A private
builder, G. Sudhakar, has been trying to develop a layout abutting
Mandur landfill and has been running after KSPCB’s permission for the
last one and a half years. We have rejected him because we don’t want
people to be victimised,” he added.