'Determined to end Bengaluru's garbage mess,' says D K Shivakumar

Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said on Monday he is determined to end the city’s garbage problem.

Speaking after laying the foundation for an integrated waste management unit at Kannahalli, he said the new garbage tender, split into 33 packages, would soon be finalised and implemented.

"The garbage contractors’ mafia has opposed this. However, we now have the go-ahead from the high court. We will soon implement it. We want to produce energy from Bengaluru’s waste,” he said.

Many contractors approached the court to challenge the decision to split the tender into 33 packages and, through this, attempted to blackmail the government, Shivakumar suggested.

He added that CCTV cameras had been installed to track and penalise those dumping garbage on roadsides. Police are sending notices by checking the number plates of vehicles used for dumping.

“My intentions are clear. I want to produce gas from waste. This works in various states, and we can implement it here, too. Now, two companies have been allowed to work on this,” he said.

Around 10 to 12 companies were also approved to produce electricity from waste. However, many have failed, and only a handful are operating now, he added.