More workers to remove debris from streets

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike Commissioner, Rajneesh Goel, took stock of the garbage situation in the City on Sunday.

During his inspection of various wards in the City, Goel found that  while everyday garbage was being collected from the streets at a gradual pace, debris from construction projects continued to be neglected.

Palike officials informed Deccan Herald that local executive engineers will be given powers to clear the debris without awaiting clearance from the Commissioner.

“Because there has been no clearance of construction debris, streets carry the impression of having garbage everywhere. Much of the construction material is dumped by builders and private property owners on the roadside, in complete disregard of rules laid down by the Palike,” an official said.

The BBMP began to levy ground rent on properties during Siddaiah’s tenure two years ago. The Palike commissioner had directed all zonal chiefs to collect rent from those who had accumulated construction material on the road, even as late as six months after building plans were sanctioned.

“While the collection of ground rent is an ongoing process, many builders have been violating laws by dumping material on the footpaths despite having completed construction of their ground floors,” an official explained.

The BBMP currently gives builders the liberty of retaining construction material on the roadside till the ground floor of the structure is complete.

However, most builders violate the law by continuing to keep construction material on the streets till the entire building is complete. BBMP officials said that excavated earth, which is often dumped on footpaths and at the sides of roads by civic agencies and builders, adds to the problem.

Goel asked ward-level engineers and executive engineers to add to the labour force to
periodically remove construction debris.

“A circular is likely to be issued with regard to the matter in the next two days,”an official said.