'Site for MSW plant not suitable'

In a major setback to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP’s) efforts to rid the City of garbage, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has observed that the site at Banashankari 6th stage where municipal solid waste (MSW) processing unit is proposed to be set up, was not suitable for the purpose.

In his report dated August 8, the KSPCB regional officer of Rajarajeshwarinagar has stated that the location is adjacent to the Turahalli forest towards the south and has residential layouts developed by BDA towards north, east and the west. There is also a borewell nearby, due to which leachate treatment cannot be allowed.

“The site (is) surrounded by green belt area of around 800 mt. Landfill area as per the MSW rules (should be) around 22,122 sq mt,” the officer noted. On August 30, the Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF) too had noted in his report that the proposed site was hardly five metres from the BM Kaval forest land, which is home to many wild animals and rare birds.

While taking a decision to set up a garbage processing unit, no action plan was submitted to the Forest department. Despite many letters to the zonal level BBMP officers and engineers, the desired information was not provided. The DCF has also cited the KSPCB’s report against the MSW processing unit in the area.

Residents of Banas­han­k­ari 6th stage and activists of Jaiprakash Narayan Vichara Vedike have strongly opposed the processing unit.
DH News Service