The solid waste management contractors are contemplating to stop clearing of municipal waste during Deepavali celebrations in protest against the Palike’s delay in finding sufficient dumping yards.

The contractors’ association has given the Palike, a week’s time to take necessary action. Association Secretary S N Balasubramanyam said, “If the Palike fails to act soon, contractors will stop clearing garbage during Deepavali celebrations.”

On an average, 3,000 tonnes of garbage are generated in the City everyday and the contractors have been finding it hard to clear the garbage due to lack of dumping yards, he added.

He said till last week, most of the garbage was dumped in an abandoned quarry on Sarjapur Road but had to stop it after  protest from residents. “Now, we have dumping yards only for 90 truckloads of garbage. The Karnataka Compost Development Corporation takes about 50 trucks a day, while the Mavallipur landfill accepts only 40 trucks. We have no other option than dump garbage in vacant space on the outskirts,” he added.
The association has submitted a letter to the Palike’s Special Commissioner (administration) demanding immediate action.

The association has also appealed to the Palike to hold a meeting with the contractors.