Karnataka, BBMP told to respond on poor state of public toilets

Bengaluru: Following a PIL, the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday sought a response from the BBMP and state government on the pathetic condition of public toilets. The PIL, filed by the Anti-Corruption Council of India, seeks a management committee to oversee the construction of public toilets and their maintenance.

Citing that Bengaluru was recently in the news for not only lacking in enough public toilets but also for their ill-maintenance, the petition stated that the BBMP is turning a blind eye to the stench, lack of water and power supply and lack of hygiene in these toilets.

The petition stated that public toilets are a grave concern to public health and safety as there is no proper sanitation. Also, the toilets are poorly maintained with broken toilet seats, defective flushing systems and garbage accumulated in and around them.

The petitioner sought directions to deploy state-of-the-art eco-friendly toilets at various public spaces, like bus junctions, petrol pumps, tourist places among others.

HC seeks state’s response on road works in Mullayanagiri
The HC sought the state government's response to a PIL objecting to road widening works from Mullayyanagiri Hills to Seethallayyanagiri Hills in Chikkamagaluru district. Stating that Mullayanagiri is the highest peak in Karnataka and home to various rare species of flora and fauna, apart from falling within the eco-sensitive zone of the Bhadra Tiger Reserve, the Bhadra Wildlife Trust and Wildlife Conservation Action Team has approached the High Court. The petitioners alleged that the Public Works Department, Chikkamagaluru division, has without any approvals or environment impact assessment has commenced the road works. “These works are without permission from the Central Government as required under Section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and amounts to a violation of the right to a clean environment and protection of natural resources guaranteed as part of the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution and Article 48-A of the Directive Principles," the petition stated. It further sought that Mullayyanagiri be declared a conservation reserve under Sec. 36-A of the Wild life (Protection) Act, 1972.

The road
There is a road of 4 km length and 8 ft width planned to connect Mullayyanagiri to Seethallayyanagiri. The work for the construction of the road began in 2016 in this eco-sensitive zone8 which is extremely harmful. The hill is the birthplace of several streams and rivers. It also houses rare species of animals. The construction was done in an unscientific manner, where narrow roads were constructed using interlock in slopes leaving passage open for only one vehicle to pass. The construction of protective walls around the road has obstructed the movement of wild animals. Further, due to the pressure created by passing vehicles, landslides have occurred along the way. There were many protests by conservationists over the road construction. The petitioner and other conservationists had said that if the soil is removed while laying the road in the sensitive area, then it can cave in during monsoon. There was no reason to widen the road on the peak and vehicles should be allowed only till Seethallayyangiri and later, visitors could trek to Mullayyanagiri to reduce the impact of vehicles on nature in the eco-sensitive zone. Due to the objections raised, the road works were stopped in 2016, the petition stated. But, now the road works have resumed claiming that only asphalting is being done, the petition stated. “The work is clearly about widening the road and increasing tourist traffic, which would be extremely damaging to the ecology and wildlife and flora and fauna of the region. There have been several landslides in the past in this area and this road widening will increase the risk of landslides even more," it added. The PIL also seeks the forest department to declare Mullayyanagiri as Mullayyanagiri Conservation Reserve under Sec. 36-A of the Wild life (Protection) Act, 1972.