The once under-utilised Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) parking shed at Seshadripuram is now a full-fledged Dry Waste Collection Centre (DWCC) that is running successfully.
Venkatesh, 39, earlier a ragpicker now works for the Palike and has single-handedly run the DWCC for the past four years.
With the help and determination of the BBMP Solid Waste Management Expert Committee Chief, N S Ramakanth, the shed that was a menace to the public was turned into a DWCC. The collection centre located on 1st Main Road, Nagappa Street, Seshadripuram in Ward No 77 was a cesspool of sorts with bad smell emanating from the drainage under it, recollects Ramakanth.
Ramakanth said that he struggled for two to three years to get permission from the BBMP higher authorities to make use of the shed. “Garbage lorries would park here leading to traffic jams for hours together. Also, the shed was on a sewage drain and most of the shed space was unutilised,” he said.
That was when Ramakanth decided to convert it into a DWCC. “The smell has disappeared now and also, the parking space is utilised effectively,” he added.
He also knew Venkatesh before the DWCC and got him deputed at the centre. “With the help of BBMP, we got the drain covered. Following which, the DWCC was constructed four years ago,” Ramakanth said.
“Everyday about 600-800 kilogram of dry waste is collected from various households. I reside at the DWCC and handle the dry waste handed over by citizens and organisations,” Venkatesh said.
He, however, said the place needs to be improved in terms of hygiene and maintenance.
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