Bengaluru: Garbage on fire, they play with people's lives!

Bengaluru: For the residents of Susheela Road in Sudhama Nagar ward, it is not just the garbage pile up they have to worry about. The trash pile, which is often set alight, is located next to a power transformer. Hence, apart from toxic fumes, the very lives of local residents are at risk as transformer oil is flammable. This constant torching of garbage has already damaged the transformer fence.

The residents of Susheela Road, Dodda Mavalli, falling under Sudhama Nagar, BBMP ward, are grappling with an unusual garbage problem. Unsegregated garbage is illegally dumped next to a transformer at night and it is often set alight, posing not only a health hazard, but even putting lives of nearby residents at risk.

Stating that this has become an everyday problem for residents in the area, Mujeeb Khan, a resident of 1st cross, Susheela Road added, “Residents are supposed to hand over the garbage to the pourakarmikas and the mini-autos, who come to collect the garbage every morning. But  some residents are throwing the garbage next to the transformer at the entrance of Susheela Road. Those who reside nearby are setting fire to the piled-up garbage.”

The fire not only produces heavy smoke, but has damaged the transformer fence. “We are forced to make our way through this smoke every day,” Mujeeb lamented.

Mohammed Fayaz, proprietor of Royal Foam Enterprises, who has his shop very near the spot where garbage is dumped and set alight every day, said, “Apart from the residents who throw the garbage here illegally, some shopkeepers also surreptitiously dispose of their garbage during the night.”

Susheela Road has shops, eateries, garages and so on. Some of these shops dump their waste near the transformer, Fayaz said.

Steps needed
The place around the transformer must be cleaned. It should also be fenced and boards have to be put up carrying a message saying that this is not a garbage dumping place. BBMP must keep track of who is dumping garbage and they must slap heavy fines on them so that they do not repeat their mistake.

“Slapping fines is the only way to manage this problem. If we try to convince them not to dump garbage here, they won't listen,” Fayaz suggested.

Residents of the area also complained that their roads are dug up often and not repaired. Chethan Manju, a resident of the area, said, “The concrete roads which were laid a few months back are dug up often. We do not know who dug them up. Also those who dig the roads do not bother to replace the damaged roads."

“Many vehicles take this street-route to reach Siddaiah Road from J C Road. Hundreds of two-wheelers, autos and cars pass through this road creating a lot of nuisance. Autos and cars should not be allowed in these small streets,” added Chethan.

Not aware of garbage problems, says corporator

DC talks to R V Yuvaraj,  BBMP Corporator, Sudhama Nagar
Residents of Susheela Road in your ward are facing garbage problems for months. Are you aware of it?
I am not aware of this particular issue faced by the residents near Susheela Road.

A few residents were seen dumping garbage next to a transformer without handing it over to the Pourakarmikas?
Residents should hand over the garbage to the Pourakarmikas.

Apart from dumping garbage, people are setting fire to garbage piles. This is emanating heavy smoke and is also damaging the transformer. What action will you take against those who are dumping garbage illegally next to the transformer and those who set it alight?
I will have to visit the exact location to know the real issue there. Based on the visit, I will initiate proper action against the guilty and measures will be taken to tackle the garbage issues of residents of Susheela Road.

Drop Box: Seen a dug up road causing traffic jams, clogged drains raising a stink, transformer posing a threat to lives or stray dogs ruling the roads? Write to us and shake the city administrators into action. Write to us at editorblr@deccanmail.com, Deccan Chronicle, 6th Floor, BMTC Commercial Complex, 80 feet road, Koramangala