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.