If BJP wins, will shut KCDC plant: Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Bengaluru: "On May 16, if we change this government, one of the first decisions the new BJP government will take is to shut down this plant (Karnataka Composting Development Corporation plant in HSR Layout). The Citizens are the key stakeholders in development of Bengaluru, and pollution from the KCDC plant violates citizens' right to life & clean neighbourhood," Rajya Sabha member Rajeev Chandrasekhar told the residents of Kudlu, Hosapalya, HSR Layout, Somasundarapalya, Parangipalya (KHHSP), Garden Layout and adjoining areas, here on Saturday. The residents have been complaining about the stench from the compost plant and want it shut. 

But, they said, despite numerous petitions to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Bangalore Development Minister K.J. George and civic agencies, their request has not been paid heed to. 

The meeting was also attended by Bommanahalli constituency MLA Satish Reddy.  Citizens said that the KCDC processes refuse derived fuel (RDF) and stores it beyond the plant's capacity. 

Residents claimed that the excess RDF is being illegally dumped into the lake and is also a serious fire hazard. A major fire broke out at the plant last year, and there could be more, they said.

As there were allegations that the plant has been built illegally on Somasundarapalaya Lake, Mr Chandrasekhar and Mr Reddy visited the area. 

"This is a public health problem, and it is a failure of the Siddaramaiah government," he said. Mr Reddy also said that if the BJP comes to power, the plant will be shut.