Tackling garbage problem top priority, says George

Newly appointed Bengaluru Development Minister K J George on Monday said he would accord top priority to solving the garbage problem and treatment of sewage water generated in the City.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Monday, George said he would take forward the proposals made by Swedish, Dutch and Chinese companies to set up waste-to-energy units in various pockets of Bengaluru.

These units would be pollution-free and could generate energy even from unsegregated waste by converting it into pellets. Of the seven proposed garbage processing units in Bengaluru, each with a capacity to process 500 tonnes of garbage per day, one had started operating.

“I will visit these units to ascertain the present status. A few units have not started operation as they are not getting segregated waste. Only wet waste can be processed at these units. All the joint commissioners of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) have been instructed to put in place a mechanism to ensure garbage is segregated at source,” George said.

He said both short and long-term plans would be chalked out for treatment of sewage water generated in Bengaluru to be used for irrigation and non-drinking purposes. He said Rs 1,000 crore with the Urban Development Department would be utilised to instal water treatment plants and prevent effluents from contaminating lakes in the City.

Land grabbers

George said the government would crack down on land grabbers in the City. On why the government was yet react to  the forest department claim that 177 acres and 28 guntas of land Jakkur Plantation was reserve forest and had been encroached upon by builders and prominent persons, George said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would take a call on the issue.

George said he was not disappointed at losing the Home portfolio. “Bengaluru development portfolio is equally important. I am satisfied with my tenure as Home minister. Portfolio allotment is the discretion of the chief minister,” George said. Siddaramaiah had allocated the Home portfolio to G Parameshwara after a Cabinet expansion last week.