Deccan Chronicle 27.08.2009
Gandhinagar to be garbage-free zone
Bengaluru, Aug. 26: With Bengaluru fast changing its reputation from garden city to garbage city, the BBMP is experimenting with creating a “zero garbage zone” in Gandhinagar, which with its many shops, cinema halls and markets sees a floating population of around 12 to 15 lakh every day, and generates a huge amount of rubbish.
“The crowded nature of the locality made it an ideal experimental ground for the garbage-free zone pilot project,” explains BBMP additional commissioner V.P. Ikkeri, adding that small dustbins have been placed on the roads in Gandhinagar and public announcements are being made about using them to dump garbage. Awareness is being created on keeping the area clean with the help of Prahari vehicles mounted with public announcement systems. “This is a simple initiative to create awareness among the public to keep Bengaluru litter-free,” he says.
Around 50 mobile containers have been engaged to clear the garbage collected in the bins and tippers are being used at to ensure that garbage does not spill out and litter the streets.
BBMP has sought the cooperation of the traders’ association in making the project a success and plans to install a public announcement system at street corners to announce the need to use dustbins and keep the city clean. “The traders are already cooperating with us in this effort. The idea will be replicated in other localities like Malleswaram and Rajajinagar,” says the additional commissioner.
The BBMP is also painting the walls in the area with social messages exhorting people to stop defacing them.
Paintings explaining Karnataka’s rich heritage and culture will decorate the walls instead with the help of advertising agencies in the city at a nominal cost, Mr Ikeri adds.
