Panathur residents complain of garbage dumping, burning

As if the denial of basic infrastructure like roads is not enough, residents of Panathur-Belagere also face the related issue of garbage dumping and burning.

Those living in the Sobha Dream Acres Apartments on Panathur Road, including children, have chronic ailments after inhaling the smoke bellowing from the garbage heap in front of the building. "The BBMP collects the garbage from the apartments here, though we don't know if it goes to the dumping yard or is burnt somewhere," said Rohan Fernandez, a resident.

A month ago, residents in the apartment noticed smoke rising from the empty plot nearby. "It happened in the night. We checked and realised it was garbage being burnt down. This continued every night, though we don't know who did it," Fernandez said.

Residents complained about the garbage incineration to the BBMP during the elections, following which the site was shifted to another empty plot 300 feet away. "We are not directly affected by that smoke, but we can still see the place where they burn the waste," he said.

Groundwater depleted

Residents also fear rapid depletion of groundwater as tankers far exceed the amount of water they draw from apartment borewells and supply it elsewhere.

"No municipal pipeline connection for us. We are at the mercy of tankers and contaminated water," said Jayashri Shastry, another resident of the apartment. She also mentioned that the garbage collection by BBMP takes place irregularly.

Health inspector Sandhya said BBMP supervisors or contractors are not involved in burning garbage. "I have warned them not to get involved in illegal garbage burning. If it had happened without my consultation, I will take strict action," she said.

The health inspector also said BBMP collects garbage only from apartments with less than 49 flats, while buildings with more flats have private vendors to clear the solid waste. "We collect garbage regularly," she assured.