Dasara ends, but garbage problem begins

The garbage problem has come back to haunt Bengaluru as festival waste lies uncleared in many localities, exposing the civic body’s preparedness in disposing the trash.

The closure of the waste-processing unit at Kannahalli following a fire accident has compounded the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) problems.

On Tuesday, as the city was in the midst of an extended holiday, heaps of banana stalks, flowers, plantains and other remnants were strewn all over KR Market and the surrounding areas.

G M Diwakar of KR Market Traders’ Association said that countless tonnes of waste had piled up outside the marketplace as pourakarmikas (municipal workers) were yet to clear them. “The footpath outside the market is choked with the festival waste. We hope that the BBMP ensures proper disposal of waste at the earliest,” he said.

Similarly, the KR Puram market generated around 30 tonnes of waste in the last two days over and above what it produces on other days. Yele Srinivas, president, KR Puram Market Association, said traders planned to lift the waste on Wednesday or Thursday with the help of pourakarmikas.

At Russell Market, an additional four tonnes of festive waste has been generated. Mohammed Idrees Choudhury, general secretary, Russell Market Traders’ Association, said waste disposal was handled efficiently this time as more pourakarmikas and garbage trucks were deployed.

The garbage problem has resurfaced in residential localities, too. Residents complained about stinking piles of garbage at Magadi Road near Sunkadakatte, near the Yediyur market, Tannery Road, Basavanagudi, Cox Town and the ITC flyover.

Uncleared trash
Jude Rajesh Ferrao, president, Citizens’ Welfare Association, HRBR Layout, said garbage was lying uncleared opposite Om Shakthi Annapoorneshwari Temple at 80 Feet Road, HRBR Layout. “It must be lifted immediately or it will raise a stink,” he said. He also stated that miscreants were burning garbage at HRBR Layout, 3rd Block.

When contacted, Mayor G Padmavathi blamed traders for dumping waste on the road. “In each ward, an extra garbage vehicle has been deployed to pick festival waste and we are taking all measures for efficient disposal of waste,” she stated.

Padmavathi said the garbage-processing unit at Kannahalli would resume operations in two or three days. The garbage, which earlier went to Kannahalli, is currently being sent to Kogilu Bande in Kogilu Layout, the KCDC landfill in HSR Layout and the quarry pit at Mitaganahalli, she added.