The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagare Palike had issued a directive to its officers to make owners of vacant sites liable if waste is dumped on their sites. However, this order has been thrown out of the window as owners at BTM Layout refuse to fence their properties and keep them clean. With no fencing, violators dump construction debris and garbage with impunity
Bengaluru: Waste management, because of blatant violations by owners of vacant sites in BTM Layout, has gone to the dogs. Despite strict directives issued by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagare Palike (BBMP) to its officers to make owners of such sites liable if any waste is dumped in open spaces, BTM Layout continues to be on the blacklist.
With no fencing around such plots, it is convenient for violators to throw construction debris and household garbage, including torn sofa sets, into these sites. Residents and commuters allege that occasionally, garbage is also burnt at such spots during evenings.
"We often see garbage being burnt here. There is a school nearby and caustic fumes engulf the school and students as well. But who cares? The site is big and at the edge of it, one can see banners of shops being dumped," said Mr Rajeev Chandra, a local resident.
Moreover, the area is not well lit despite it being a busy road. "This is the case with every road around the city. There is not enough lighting for pedestrians. Monsoon will start soon and lights are needed on the streets. The government should not be shirking from its duty," said Ms Lalitha Ramesh, another resident.
BBMP officials have been told to issue notices to those who dump garbage. When the BBMP receives a complaint, the onus lies on the owner to clear the site within 15 days, failing which he/she is liable to pay fine. The fine amount is Rs 25,000 and it may go up to Rs 1 lakh for repeat offenders.
The residents have applauded the measures taken up by the BBMP but it remains only on paper.
