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.