Garbage burning on APMC yard causes health hazards

For more than a decade, residents of Talacauvery Layout in Amruthahalli, off Bellary Road, have been exposed to toxic pollutants released from garbage being burnt on a 27-acre vacant plot near the layout.

This has resulted in many of them contracting Bronchitis, allergies and respiratory problems. Mosquito and snake menace also prevails in the locality. Residents blame contractors for their plight, saying they dump and burn the garbage at the vacant plot at night.

Ramanathan G, a resident of Amruthahalli Main Road, said his wife had been  suffering from Bronchitis for two years. 

“We have complained to the BBMP as well as to the Byatarayanapura MLA, Krishna Byre Gowda, who is also the agriculture minister. But no steps have been taken to resolve the issue so far.” 

Residents also said that garbage contractors dump the garbage and burn it at the plot at around 9 pm on most days. 

The plot located on the road leading to the Kempegowda International Airport, Byatarayanapura behind a Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) office belongs to the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC). 

The land was originally owned by the government which handed it over to the APMC in the 1980s, according to residents. 

“In view of the Supreme Court order, wholesale markets are not allowed within city limits. Hence this land will not serve any purpose for the APMC. The government should immediately reclaim this land and convert it into a park for the locals,” said another resident, Sandeep. 

Residents also said that although the BBMP promised that it would fog the mosquito-hit areas, no such activity had been taken up at the plot. 

The Palike health inspector from Byatarayanapura constituency, Krishna said, “The garbage is dumped by BVG contractor and others. We had earlier served a notice on the contractors.”

When contacted, APMC secretary B M Palaksha, Binnipet, said that the land was cleared and also fenced in order to thwart the contractors from entering the area.

“A survey was also carried out by the revenue department to demarcate the boundary, as it was adjoining the land held by private parties. We have written a letter to the BBMP Commissioner M Lakshminarayana highlighting the garbage burning issue,” he explained.