Blow to residents, BBMP won't shift waste processing plant

People living near the Karnataka Compost Development Corporation (KCDC) waste-processing plant in Kudlu off Hosur Road received a setback as Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) decided not to close or shift the existing plant on Saturday.

Instead, the BBMP has decided to issue notices to houses built within 500 metres of the buffer zone of the plant. This decision was taken after BBMP Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad, along with KCDC chairman A Kenchegowda, visited the plant on Saturday.

Sandipan Mukherjee, who has been living there for six years, said: “The BBMP has extended the limits for building houses beyond the buffer zone. Now, there is no point in issuing notices.”

Another resident, Ravinder Banyal, said: “The commissioner said that we have to look for our own solutions. If that was the case, why did we even approach them?”

Banyal also said BBMP is dumping waste beyond the plant’s capacity. “The actual capacity of the plant is less than 100 tonnes but they dump more than 200 tonnes of waste here,” he said. BBMP has also decided to hold a meeting every fortnight to report on the problems that people are facing.

Buffer zone

Prasad said a buffer zone of 500 metres around the plant was created in 1975, when the plant was built. “There is no question of closing or shifting the plant. A buffer zone was built back then but now we will issue the notices to those who have violated the rule. I have ordered calling for tenders to insert filters which will reduce the stink and emit filtered air,” he said.

Residents have been protesting against the plant for years but have received no respite. Excessive dumping of garbage, unbearable stink and air pollution are the common complaints.

“The stench from the plant spreads for up to 2-3 kilometres. People can’t bear to live here,” said Banyal. Breathing problems, skin problems, mosquitoes and watery eyes are some of the common problems that the residents complain of. The residents have sought the removal of encroachments in Somasundarapalya lake as well.