Dead quarries help BBMP overcome problem of debris

Debris was a major concern for the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) when the city was in the throes of the garbage crisis. But not anymore.

Suddenly, there is great demand for rubble from all corners and the BBMP is unable to cope with it. This is despite the fact that a major demolition drive is going on across the city to remove encroachments from lakes, stormwater drains and government land.

While a new firm called Rock Crystals at Chikkajala on the outskirts of the city says it can convert construction debris into sand, the BBMP says it can’t meet its demand.

The firm, the first of its kind in South India and fourth in India, needs at least 1,000 tonnes of debris a day to produce sand, which it is not able to get.

K Rajesh of Rock Crystals said the city generates about 3,000 truckloads of wreckage everyday but most of it is disposed of randomly.

“If the BBMP could provide us with debris, we will generate sand similar to M-sand,” said Rajesh.

He added that at present, river sand is available at Rs 125 per cubic foot and M-sand at Rs 30 per CFT whereas debris sand can be made available at Rs 26 per CFT.

The Palike is unable to meet Rock Crystals requirement in view of growing demand for rubble from the owners of dead quarries.

Sarfaraz Khan, BBMP Joint Commissioner (solid waste management), said, “We need large quantities of debris to fill many dead quarries on the outskirts of the city where there have been drowning accidents.”

Initially, there were protests at Bagalur and Kogilu as people feared that their area would stink. However, mud capping with debris dumping changed the scene. Now, the place is suitable for plantation.

The experiment drew the attention of many other quarry owners who are approaching the BBMP to let it use their quarry pits.