Namma Metro line turns garbage dump yard

Upalokayukta takes up issue with BMRCL, BBMP

The Namma Metro line is the new hotspot for dumping garbage in the City. Bangalore Political Action Committee (B.PAC) has unearthed this fact during its two-day visit to Metro sites.

The B.PAC on Thursday filed a complaint to the Upalokayukta along with 700 photographs of garbage dumped below the Metro line on both Green and Purple route.
The volunteers of B.PAC have conducted a study on dumping of debris and garbage below the Metro line.

“From 6 am to 5 pm on two days our volunteers visited both the Green and Purple line of Metro. The volunteers took about 700 photographs of debris and garbage dumped below the pillars. We have covered the stretch under construction and also the stretch operational. There are around 100 such spots where waste is dumped,” Revathy Ashok, CEO, B.PAC said.

The volunteers also found that dumping of garbage and debris has caused obstruction to vehicular movement and littered the vacant spot below the Metro line.

In the Purple route, such spots were found at Nayandahalli, Deepanjalinagar, Magadi Road, Indiranagar and Baiyappanahalli. Similarly, such spots were found in Jaraganahalli, Kanakapura Road, Sarakki Market, National College and KR Market area on Green route.

“Several complaints were filed before both Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). However, no agency has taken any action in this regard. The BBMP has not even looked into the dumping of garbage and segregating the same below the Metro line,” Upalokayukta Justice Subhash B Adi said.

The B.PAC members submitted a sketch showing the areas where the debris were dumped. “If the issue is not addressed swiftly, it will become a public nuisance and a health hazard. Moreover, this social organisation has already made several complaints to the BBMP in this regard. Since the rainy season is ensuing, this will add to the problems. I have also directed BBMP Commissioner to clarify why flex and other advertisement hoardings are put up along the Metro line at various places. The BBMP should come up with details as to whether such advertisements are put up with the permission of BBMP or BMRCL,” Justice Adi said.

The Upalokayukta has directed the Commissioner BBMP and Managing Director BMRCL to appear in person on May 18 in regard to dumping of debris and garbage below Metro line.

“Our previous complaints had resulted in a significant reduction in illegal advertisement hoardings and banners. The matter of urgency is with regard to debris and waste below the Metro line which is operational. A co-ordinated effort from BBMP and BMRCL can ensure Namma Metro line clean and well maintained,” Revathy said.