Citizens to study extent of pollution caused by KCDC

The residents of HSR Layout, Somasundarapalya and neighbouring areas, who are reeling under pollution caused by Karnataka Compost Development Corporation (KCDC) plant, have decided to take matters into their own hands.

The resident welfare association and citizen groups in Kudlu Gate, Haralur, Haralukunte, Somasundarapalya and Parangipalya have decided to conduct an environment study to determine the extent of pollution.

The groups have decided to raise money from the residents for the tests to be taken up as part of the study.

The study will include testing the quality of air and soil in and around Somasundarapalya, where the KCDC plant is located.

 The residents said that the drive would continue for the next two months. The funds raised for the study would also be utilised to fight a legal battle against the compost corporation.

 Anis Padela, a resident of HSR Layout, said that the residents have carried out many protests against the stench and the environmental pollution caused by the KCDC plant, with the recent one being held in the month of October.

“After the October protest, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) was forced to reduce the quantity of waste being sent to the plant from 250 tonnes to 60 tonnes.

But the stench and unscientific dumping continues. Till date, no study has been taken up by the Palike or Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) to assess the impact of plant on citizens. Hence, we decided to take matters into our own hands. We are yet to decide on the agency to  be roped in for the study,” Padela added.

The plant, which is the oldest waste processing unit in the country, is affecting the occupants of over 500 apartments, 200 houses and several educational institutions, laments Murali, a local. He added that the release of leachate from the plant has contaminated Somasundarapalya lake and the groundwater in the vicinity.

 “The High Court on February 13, 2015, ordered the KCDC and the BBMP to introduce a mechanism through which the odour could be controlled. But the stench continues and the situation has worsened in the last few months,” he added.