Garbage strewn all around air base

As the garbage crisis within the City continues unabated, the extent of waste strewn at the Yelahanka air base during the aero show was no less.

With over 1.2 lakh people visiting the show, it was a foregone conclusion that waste management would be of utmost priority for cleaning the vicinity.
However, with the swelling crowds and restricted manpower, clearing garbage seemed non sequential.

“We have close to 700 workers to clear the garbage each day. But there is no way that we can provide a spic and span environment,” said a FICCI personnel in-charge of maintaining the various locations within the air base.

With an agreement between the BBMP and the organisers of the aero show, the responsibility solely rested on the organisers to manage the waste that is generated during the six-day show.

With hundreds of stalls and massive food courts building pressure on the organisers, the garbage collection was restricted to two hours, twice every day. Over the weekend, the garbage collection came to a virtual standstill.

As thousands of people came to watch the show, plastic covers, plates and wasted leftover food were found lying across the air base.

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI )personnel had already employed a contractor to clear the garbage and dispose it outside the air base.

The IAF personnel on their part have stated that FICCI is the sole responsible authority to clear the garbage.

“We have had a lot of opposition from visitors who did not want to be disturbed while enjoying the show. The timing has been set between the afternoon and the evening to clear the mounting garbage from the air base,” said the personnel.

Apart from the ‘uncivilised’ response from the visitors, FICCI personnel were also apprehensive of the IAF allowing their temporary work staff to clear the garbage. “But, we are trying to manage the show, nonetheless,” said personnel.