Bengaluru: Kumaraswamy Layout, which has a sizeable number of outstation students, in reeling under the menace of illegal garbage dumping. Vacant plots in the area are being targeted by eatery operators and nearby residents to dump garbage. The area is also frequented by rowdies and anti-socials and local residents are worried about their safety.
Kumaraswamy Layout, famous for Dayananda Sagar Institutions, has a sizeable number of outstation students staying in various PG accommodations and senior citizens.
However the nearby alleys have turned into de facto garbage dumps and local residents have to bear with foul smell all through the day.
The stench is so strong that the residents have to keep doors and windows permanently closed.
Bikash, who works as a cook at a PG, claims the pungent smell from the garbage makes it difficult him to work. “We cannot open the window panes which makes the room unlivable due to the moisture. During heavy downpours the garbage stinks and the entire road is covered with the stinking water,” he added.
One of the families complained about the regular congregation of students near the houses during late night. Continuous smoking by the students near residences compels families to shut down their windows.
Mohammad Abbas, a retired government servant, has been residing at Layout for the past 15 years. A vacant site near his house has turned into a garbage dump.
“Every morning at 7 am the pourakarmikas collects the waste from the site, but the eatery owners throw leftover food at the site. Some people come on their bike and dump household garbage at the site,” he lamented.
The late night gathering of rowdies near his house also worries him. The footpath adjacent to his house is broken due to the parking of the bikes and cars. In order to protect the walkover path, he has put bricks.
“I am an old man and there is no privacy left when the vehicles are parked near my house. The BBMP must fine those dumping the garbage. If they install CCTV cameras in the nearby areas, they will have my support,” Abbas added. He sometimes does stop people from dumping garbage, but the menace continues.
The rampant increase of commercial establishments in the residential areas has taken a toll on the students residing at various PG accommodations.
Mukti, one of the caretakers of the 10 Planet PG, which has a garbage dump in the vicinity, wants the administration to check for illegal shops functioning in the area.
“We have students from all over the country in the PG. We have no answers when parents of these students complain about the rowdyism in the area. Moreover, their studies get affected if there is late night loitering by rowdies on the street,” Mukti added.
‘Owners of vacant sites should fence the area’
Q & A with the Assistant Engineer, Mr Chetan
Garbage is being illegally dumped near the residential areas of Kumarswamy Layout. Is the BBMP aware of it?
Yes, the vacant areas are being used as the dumping site. The owners of those sites can put up a board and fence the area in order to put an end to the dumping menace. However, if the dumping is illegal we will certainly take action.
When can the residents expect a good stretch of roads and footpaths in the area?
Due to monsoon asphalting of roads was not done. The planning has already been done and once the monsoon gets over we will definitely repair the roads. In many areas, the job was completed before the onset of monsoon season.
Residents are complaining about the regular assembling of rowdies near their houses due to the tea shops. What can be done to stop it?
The health inspector must check for the licences as BBMP has nothing to do with it. This issue comes under Ministry of Health and the checks on these small outlets will serve the results the residents want to see.
