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Mayor backtracks on closure of Mavallipura landfill

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The New Indian Express   31.08.2012

Mayor backtracks on closure of Mavallipura landfill

Within 24 hours, Mayor D Venkatesh Murthy has changed his stand on the closure of Malavallipura landfill. On Wednesday, the mayor had assured the residents of Mavallipura that the landfill would be shut permanently.

 However, on Thursday, the BBMP Council headed by him passed a resolution, which indirectly stated that the landfill would not be closed down.

 It, in fact, laid emphasis on restarting the landfill by taking measures as stipulated by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB).

 Temporary Solution: According to the resolution, the BBMP will release Rs 8 crore for the development of Mavallipura and surrounding areas, besides conducting health camps at the village once in a week. It will also convert the garbage into manure and shift it completely from the landfill.

The civic body would also examine at higher level, the agreement violated by the Ramky Group and take necessary action. According to the villagers’ demand, water will be supplied through tankers. The BBMP would also provide Rs 2 lakh as compensation to the family members of Srinivas who died recently.

Opposition leader M K Gunashekar sought to know reasons for setting up another higher level committee when KSPCB had already directed BBMP to close down the Mavallipura landfill.

The Mayor, however, said that in 15 days, the Commissioner will compile the report according to the KSPCB order.

“We will submit it to the board and a final decision will be taken,” he said.

 Hanumanthanagar councillor K Chandrashekar said that according to garbage contract, contractors are required to shift segregated garbage on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays.

 But no one was following it.

 BBMP has not penalised them for violating contract. “Many contractors have violated tender terms and they have participated also in the new garbage contracts,” he added.

 ‘We will protest again’: When contacted, Srinivas, a Gram Panchayat member of Mavallipura, said they would not allow BBMP to dump garbage in the landfill again.

 “Mayor on Wednesday assured us that it would be shut permanently.

 Now, he has changed his stand.

 We shall not allow any authority to dump garbage.

 Moreover, the Pollution Control Board has ordered the closure of the landfill.

 If they dump the garbage, it will be violation of this order and we shall move court,” he said.

Last Updated on Friday, 31 August 2012 09:01