BENGALURU: Now that garbage collection and its segregation at source has been made mandatory, a few not-so civic-minded residents of Koramangala have ingeniously opted for a convenient method of disposal by hanging plastic garbage bags on trees or dumping them at the corner of the street, in the process dirtying the Garden City of Bengaluru.
This way, residents dodge pourakarmikas and their methods of segregation. Speaking to DC, members of the expert committee on solid waste management constituted by the high court N. S. Ramakanth says, “At this juncture, both the citizens and BBMP have to be blamed. Citizens must co-operate and join hands with the BBMP to segregate garbage at source instead of hanging waste-filled plastic bags to trees or dumping garbage at street corners. Citizens can also help by composting garbage on their own or putting in complaints to the BBMP. As far as the BBMP is concerned, there are no takers for the garbage tenders floated by the BBMP and the BBMP too has failed to pursue contractors to take it up.”
In the wake of expiry of garbage contracts, the BBMP has been suffering from shortage of manpower and equipment to clear garbage across the city. The garbage mafia, which is against segregation at source, is not participating in garbage tenders and is preventing others from doing so. Those contractors whose tenders have been extended are doing the job half-heartedly, leaving many dirty spots across the city, said Mr. Ramakanth.
Also, citizens must stop complaining or cribbing about the BBMP and change to participatory governance, he strongly urged. Citizens must learn to compost garbage on their own, he added and collect dry waste which can be handed over to the Dry Waste Collection Centre (DWCC).
When it comes to citizens’ participatory governance, Yelahanka has been leading the way. Citizens, members of NGOs and Residents’ Welfare Association have been taking active part in segregation and staying away from using plastic. The Suchi Mitra (clean volunteers) concept is a big hit in Yelahanka, where the suchi mitras follow up on the garbage collection and the number of vehicles deployed. Any shortfalls in clearing garbage would be brought to the notice of the joint commissioner, who in turn will ensure that the garbage is cleared, explained Mr. Ramakanth.
The BBMP has achieved 40 per cent of their target when it comes to segregation of garbage at source. The public must co-operate by segregating garbage at source. This would help to a great extent to solve the garbage crisis and to maintain a clean environment.
