JOIN USThe ever-messy KR Market was in a pathetic state on Thursday as the garbage remained uncleared due to the ongoing strike by the BBMP (Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike) staff. Showing solidarity with the BBMP officers and engineers, the garbage contractors left the market reeking.
A local trader Shah Nawaz blamed the Palike administration for its inefficiency to find a solution to the standoff between the BBMP officers and the BMTF, which has turned the City into a garbage heap.
“The market looks untidy. The scene is no better at other major commercial areas too. If the strike continues and the garbage is not lifted for another three to four days, the situation will go beyond anyone's control,” he said.
Avenue Road, Chikpet, Balepet, Sultanpet and Cottonpet were in a state of mess. There were heaps of garbage on the roadside. Rain for the last two days added to the mess.
“Let them strike work, but why should the people suffer? If the contractors do not lift garbage, cancel their contracts,” said Mohit Ram, a trader.
No solution in sight
Even as Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar and Deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka said a solution would be worked out shortly, the standoff between the Palike officers and the government continued on Thursday.
The engineers and the officers demanded the government and the BBMP administration to snatch police powers given to the Bangalore Metropolitan Task Forces.
The BBMP Commissioner M K Shankarlinge Gowda and the Mayor D Venkatesh Murthy tried to break the ice by holding discussions with the engineers and the officers but it did not yield any result. The striking officers reiterated that the BMTF should function under the direct control of the BBMP Commissioner and that there will not be any BMTF police station.
R Subramanyam, president of the BBMP Officers and Employees Association, said: “We have not called off the strike and it will continue until our demands are met.”