Toxic gases: Residents want waste plant closed

A BBMP solid waste management (SWM) plant at Chikkanagamangala near Electronics City has turned a bugbear for residents with the unbearable stench of poisonous gases emanating from the plant.

The residents of Doddanagamangala, Chikkanagamangala, Konappana Agrahara, GS Palya and other places from Electronics City phase 1 and phase 2 have staged two protests over the past three months, including the one on Saturday, requesting the BBMP to either take necessary measures to curb the release of gases or close the plant. But to their despair, nothing positive has happened so far.

“The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is not operating the plant scientifically. It looks like they are not following any SWM rules and the orders of the High Court of Karnataka. The poisonous gases released from the plant are causing respiratory disorders to elders at our homes, and children are suffering from vomiting and breathing problems,” said Pranay Dubey, a member of Electronics City Rising Group.

The members of the group complained that the civic body officials were not responding to the calls and messages of the residents. “They are not responding to our messages despite adding them to the WhatsApp group,” said Dubey.

The residents said the Palike officials had promised them to fulfil their eight demands, during the protest in December. But this has not turned into action, they said.

Some of the demands include mitigation steps to control the foul smell from the plant, stop burning garbage inside the plant, measure the air quality index, avoid mixing dry waste with the wet.

After Saturday’s protest, where over 500 people, including children, took part, the BBMP environmental engineer has told them that a meeting would be held on Monday with BBMP special commissioner (SWM) Randeep D, in the presence of six resident volunteers to discuss the matter.