JOIN USAll landfill sites around Bengaluru City can be identified by the stench emanating from them. However, the Karnataka Compost Development Corporation (KCDC) landfill near Kudlu, off Bommanahalli, is an exception.
A fresh aroma of lemon grass greets visitors upon entering the area, where tonnes of City’s waste is dumped. About an year ago, things were not pleasant for the residents, who had objected to the dumping of waste next to their buildings.
Responding to the residents’ objection, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) decided to ease matter by spraying gallons of diluted lemon grass extracts everyday. 100 litres of lemon grass extract was mixed with 1,000 litres of water.
Palike’s efforts fetched the desired results. Protests against the KCDC stopped and the residents are no longer uncomfortable with the trash.
Spread over 30 acres, the 30-year-old waste-to-compost facility of the KCDC uses only five acres for the dumping and processing of waste.
The facility was set up with the central grants adopted the most advanced technology of that time. Presently it processes 300 tonnes of waste per day and generates about 30 tonnes of manure every day. In the coming days, the Palike intends to increase its capacity to 800 tonnes a day by bringing in machines from Indore.
The BBMP has built four platforms where the waste is dumped, segregated, dried and later sent for compost manufacturing.