Committees to check SWM plants

Bengaluru: In the wake of stiff resistance from villagers and people living in the vicinity of waste processing units, the BBMP commissioner has formed co-ordination committees to ensure that the plants function without any hurdles and that infrastructure around the plants are improved. Besides, a steering committee headed by City Development Minister K. J. George has been formed.

Following a backlash from the city for unsystematic waste disposal and strict direction from the high court for proper disposal of waste, the BBMP had no option but to pull up its socks for careful disposal and processing too.

In order to quell the opposition and protests, the BBMP has set up co-ordination committees comprising the zonal joint commissioner as chairman and zonal chief engineer, other engineers, residents, elected representative and representative of the waste-to- compost plant as members of the committee. The chairman is entrusted to educate the residents and villagers living around the plant about the high court order and the importance of correct  processing of waste without leaving any loopholes  for health hazards. The committee is expected to meet periodically to learn the difficulties being faced by villagers and the community living in the neighbourhood and officials.

As a result of the court direction, the BBMP strictly ensured that only the segregated waste is collected, especially from bulk generators. BBMP took up a massive awareness programme to ensure that importance of segregation and how to segregate the waste too.

At the same juncture, waste processing plants were made to commission their processing of garbage. At least six such waste-to- compost plants were commissioned which actually took care of about 1,800 Metric Tonnes (MT) of 4,000 MT waste generated in the city. The BBMP health and Solid Waste Management (SWM) wing are vigorously enforcing the mandatory segregation right from individual houses, to bulk and commercial waste generators.

20 members in the panel
The committee comprises 20 members including Mayor, deputy mayor, police commissioner, superintendent of police (Bengaluru Urban and rural), Deputy Commissioners (Urban and Rural). Members of the committee will meet every month to discuss SWM and safety of the SWM plants. Of the proposed seven plants, six have been functioning effectively and the same were constructed from the financial assistance extended by the government. Police officials have been made members of the committee to ensure security and avoid any law and order problem.