Landfill plan hits roadblock

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Bengaluru: Though the BBMP and the state government are trying hard to solve the garbage issue, they don’t seem to be meeting with much success. The BBMP had taken the cabinet’s approval for purchasing 1,076 acres of land for a landfill. But, political leaders at Koratagere and Arudi in Doddaballapura have vehemently opposed the landfills in their constituencies.
Following severe opposition from villagers of Mavallipura, Mandur and Bingipura, the BBMP had to look for a landfill site outside Bengaluru district. Bengaluru stinks whenever the villagers from Mandur and Mavall­ipur register their opposition to the dumping of the city’s 4,000 metric tonnes of waste in their backyard every day. The cabinet approved the BBMP’s proposal to purchase 1,076 acres of land in Doddab­allapur and Koratagere to set up waste processing units.
But Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president Dr Parameshwar and former minister Mr Channigappa have opposed the newly identified sites. Mr Channig­appa has threatened to stage a dharna in front of the Vidhana Soudha if the decision is not reversed.
Speaking to DC, Dr Param­eshwar said that he is totally against this idea because three villagers are located within two kilometres of the proposed landfill at Koratagere.
“I cannot allow my constituency people to suffer from the problems that would crop up from the unscientific managing of landfills. The proposal was initially opposed by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) authorities,” he said.
He said that he doesn’t know whether the move is “politically motivated conspiracy or unintentional.” The Tumkur city corporation too has identified a landfill in his constituency, he said. “I appeal to the chief minister not to succumb to pressure from any corner and withdraw the cabinet decision. If not, when our party comes to power in the next polls, I will ensure that the decision is reversed. However, I will meet the chief minister after I return from the padayatra,” he said.
He said that Tumkur district has a scarcity of drinking water. Most villagers depend on ground water to meet their water requirements, and the Koratagere landfill will take away the only source of drinking water (ground water) of the villagers.
Officials told to work on holidays
Bengaluru: To ensure that garbage does not pile up due to the three days of continuous holidays on account of the second Saturday and Makara Sankranti, BBMP commissioner Mr Siddaiah has issued a circular directing officials to work from January 12 to 14.
Engineering, health, and revenue staff must work on these three days till 2 pm to serve the citizens of Bengaluru, the circular says.
Stern action will be taken against officials who defy the commissioner’s directive.