Bengaluru: What does one do when pourakarmikas don’t collect garbage nor are there any dustbins to dump daily waste in your locality? “Isn’t it obvious that people take the only easy way out and dump garbage on a vacant plot in the vicinity?” said Ikram Khan, a resident of S.K Garden.
Many like Khan, who are actively fighting against illegal dumping of garbage on Pottery Road, have done it all to end the menace - create awareness, meet officials, involve corporators - but none have ended the illegal dumping of garbage.
Khan explained, “For at least a week the garbage of the entire locality is left to rot on Pottery Road. The pourakarmikas don’t collect garbage door-to-door and sacks of garbage are strewn across the road with stench emanating all through the day.” As a result heaps of this mess, the stray dog menace too has increased, observed Dhanusha, another resident.
“The dogs carry garbage sacks from one point to another, often bringing them near someone’s house. On noticing this, a pack of dogs gather and fight over the garbage packets. The evening hours, when it’s dark, are extremely dangerous as they get aggressive,” she said.
Rajesh Kumar, another resident, points out that lack of monitoring and constant supervision has led to the crisis and despite efforts by the residents they are unable to find a solution. “When the stench becomes unbearable, a truck picks up the garbage and goes. The very next day, the same situation repeats.
There are no dustbins to dump waste. Forget segregating garbage, we don’t even have amenities to dispose of the garbage generated in our homes,” Kumar added. The residents have urged that primary level supervision is needed and more health inspectors should be assigned to ensure that garbage is cleared everyday from the black spot.
I am trying to end the garbage menace: Mohd Zameer Sha, S.K Garden Corporator
Why are pourakarmikas not collecting garbage in your ward?
Around 35 pourkarmikas are needed for S.K Garden ward, but only 17 have been assigned. Of these, eight are over 60 years old. They find it tough to sweep roads, forget going for door-to-door collection. In addition, no garbage truck has been assigned for my ward. In spite of repeated requests to assign more PKs and allot a truck, the BBMP has turned a deaf ear. With such lackadaisical attitude of the officials, how will the menace end?
You took charge about five months ago. Why was this not addressed in all these months?
I have been running from pillar to post and even managed to bring the matter to the notice of Solid Waste Management special commissioner Subodh Yadav. He recently visited the spot and suspended the health inspector over dereliction of duty. I am trying to end the garbage menace, but it’s taking a lot of time.
How do you plan to resolve this problem?
The East zone Joint Commissioner Yatish Kumar has assured that a lorry will be allotted to us in the coming week. If that happens, garbage will be removed on a daily basis and all the problems related to garbage will end eventually.
