Palike in trouble over finding land for soild waste management

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike is in trouble over finding land amid people's opposition in setting up solid waste management (SWM) plants in all 198 wards.

After the High Court of Karnataka recently directed the BBMP to plan ways to deal with waste management from the wards itself, the civic authority is preparing a micro plan for each ward.

The city generates 3,500 tonnes of garbage per day which is being processed and disposed of in Doddaballapur, Kudlu, Lakshmipura, Bingipura, Mavallipura, Kannahalli, Seegehalli, Chikkanagamangala, Dodda Bidrukalu, Subbarayan Palya and Lengaderanahalli area.

The villagers here are protesting against the dumping of garbage in these areas as the foul smell emanating from the dumped trash has filled the villages.

S Ramakanth, Solid Waste Management Round Table and SWM Expert Committee member, said: "According to the court, the ward committees in all the 198 wards will have to meet by November 30 and should present a solid waste management plan and finalise locations for new public sanitation units. The BBMP will produce progress report in court before the next hearing of the case on December 8."

"If the SWM plant is to help the residents, the garbage can be processed in the ward itself. But the Palike should create confidence among the residents who are apprehensive about the diseases and stink. The Palike should make
sure that the people are not affected by the plant," said Ramakant.

Meanwhile, a BBMP official said: "Earlier, it was difficult to find land for Indira Canteens. Now finding land to set up the SWM is also difficult as there is no land available in most of the BBMP zones."

"Each plant would require at least 12,000 sq ft of space and may cost around Rs 1 crore. Each plant can treat 15 tonnes of garbage per day," the official added.