Bangalore: In order to assess the quantum of acceptance and the success of the BBMP’s ambitious zero garbage initiative launched across 22 wards in Bangalore on July 24 last year, the civic body has appointed a third party agency, Navigem, to study the situation and give a report.

 

 Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, K. C. Yatish Kumarwho is he? said that Gandhinagar ward has been picked for the pilot study. It will be compared to five other wards. Navigem has already started the process and a preliminary report has been submitted on Gandhinagar.  

 

 The initiative has been criticised by experts in the field of solid waste management and urban experts for not going about the process of segregation in a scientific way. There have been lapses on the part of the officials entrusted with managing the zero garbage project.

 

 Kumar said Navigem will study the segregation of dry waste and bio-medical waste, door-to-door collection, transportation and infrastructure aspects. The report is expected to be submitted to the BBMP in the next one month. Based on the report, the third party inspection will be extended to other wards too, he added.

 

 The BBMP has started penalising those who do not segregate their garbage. But Kumar admitted that there was a lack of awareness and more should be done to educate the public. The money earned from the penalties will be ploughed into an information, education and communication (IEC) initiative, he said.

 

 Citizens' Action Forum member N. Mukund said that the zero garbage initiative has not yielded good results as the tucks are still carrying mixed waste, mostly in commercial areas.