Speaking at an interaction with lawyers on cleanliness in Bengaluru at the High Court, Lakshminarayan claimed that Dry Waste Collection Centres have been established across all 198 wards, and the zero garbage initiative will be launched from July 1 by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

 

The pourakarmikas will collect only segregated waste so citizens will have to separate their dry and wet waste. The BBMP will make arrangements to collect the dry waste during the week.

 

Lingarajapura, Shantalanagara, Halasuru, Benniganahalli, Gangenahalli, JC Nagara, Nagapura, Shivanagara, Chamarajapete, Koramangala are among the wards where the initiative will be launched.

 

Segregation of waste at source will reduce the quantum of waste generated by the city by 20 to 25 per cent. The city employs 20,000 pourakarmikas in two shifts,  Lakshminarayan said. Garbage is being thrown on the streets and footpaths by traders after the pourakarmikas clear it, he noted, and appealed to residents’ welfare associations and the BBMP to keep the city neat and tidy.

 

The lawyers present requested that the premise of the court be kept clean. The commissioner said dustbins will be provided and so will cement benches at specified locations.

 

Earlier, Justice K. Sridhar Rao said that the heavy traffic in the city demands more under passes and flyovers. The city must also tackle dengue and malaria more effectively. The judge called on the BBMP chief to provide adequate public toilets and ensure maintenance of storm water drains.