Monday’s rainfall has further aggravated Bengaluru’s garbage problem as leachates from reeking heaps of waste are seeping into the soil across the City.
As villagers locked up the two waste-processing units in Doddaballapur taluk, the only remedy before the BBMP was to dump the garbage in a secluded place on the outskirts of the City and burn it later.
But the rainfall has literally spread water on this illegal means of getting rid of the waste.
Residents are already worried. Manohar H N, a resident of HMT Layout, said he feared uncleared wet waste might lead to an epidemic. “The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the citizens must realise this. People should generate less waste and avoid using polythene bags. Palike officials should stress segregation of waste, which is not happening,” he said. “An epidemic outbreak will spell doom for a city of one crore people. It’s time to wake up.”
An official involved in Palike’s solid waste management efforts said that 1,500-2,000 tonnes of uncleared waste had accumulated on Bengaluru’s streets following the protests.
This garbage, which was generated during Dasara a fortnight ago, must be cleared within two days, before further waste is generated during Deepavali, he said. “Rain was thrown up a big challenge before us. After getting wet, uncleared garbage has become heavier, making its transport difficult,” he added.
