DVS to meet Palike officials over waste processing plant woes

Union Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Saturday gave a surprise visit to the Lingadheeranahalli garbage processing plant at Banashankari 6th stage, in the wake of complaints from local residents.

Gowda represents the Bengaluru North constituency in the Lok Sabha and the area comes under the constituency.

The members of the Banashankari 6th stage Residents’ Welfare Association (RWA) complained to the minister about the foul smell emanating from the plant and the mosquito menace, leading to health hazards among the people residing close by.

“The plant is getting mixed waste, instead of wet waste. Presently, about 200 tonnes of garbage is being dumped on the plant premises every day. The waste is lying there without getting processed. Garbage from Chamarajpet, Shivajinagar and surrounding places is dumped here,” said T S Mahesh, president of the association.

The members rued that the plant was unscientific and the Palike was being negligent to their woes despite submitting many memorandums. According to local residents, more than 5,000 houses are located in and around the plant.

Gowda told the residents that a meeting would be held with Palike officials soon to discuss the problems. “We will give 10 days time to the Palike. If they do not take any action to address the problems, we will initiate measures for the closure of the plant,” he said.

Mahesh said about 30 trucks, each carrying seven to eight tonnes of garbage enters the plant daily.
“A month ago, Mayor Manjunatha Reddy said that the civic agency will cancel the agreement it had entered into with a private contractor, over the poor maintenance of the plant. However, till date no action has been taken,” he added.