In a huge relief to Bengalureans, who are forced to put up with mounds of garbage dotting the city, the BBMP on Tuesday decided to improve garbage collection by operating a second shift. The BBMP council passed a resolution to hike the tender amount by 20 per cent for garbage contractors and clear garbage in two shifts until the fresh tenders are finalized.
With the discussion focusing on the non-clearance of garbage, Mayor D. Venkatesh Murthy and corporators, cutting across party lines, came down heavily on the zonal joint commissioners and other officials concerned for failing to clear garbage and maintain hygiene. He also noted that many contractors are claiming bills without clearing garbage and officials are releasing the money too.
The issue of tenders for garbage removal had landed in the court and, on the court’s direction, the BBMP was to finalise the contracts amicably. However, it had failed to arrive at a decision. JD(S) leader in the council, Mr Thimme Gowda, ruling party leader N. Nagaraju and Basavanagudi corporator Katte Satyanarayana said citizens were abusing the BBMP and corporators for not clearing the garbage on a daily basis, and demanded proper solution. The officials, on their part, claimed that due to the closure of the Mavallipura landfill, garbage disposal has become a challenging task. Transportation of garbage has been reduced to just one trip from two, said BBMP authorities.