Residents dump plan to keep city clean

Residents dump plan to keep city clean

Luna Dewan
Express News Service
First Published : 24 Jul 2010 03:55:58 AM IST
Last Updated : 24 Jul 2010 10:43:05 AM IST

BANGALORE: "Throwing garbage here is illegal. If anyone is found dumping garbage here, they are liable to be punished with a fine up to Rs 1,000," read the placard on the road corner.

Right below it was a pile of garbage, rotting. The placards put up by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) a month ago seems to have done little to change things.

The Palike had taken the step with the hope that it would discourage households from dumping garbage on roadside.

"With repeated complaints from people residing close to these dumping sites, we cleaned up these places and put up placards," said Ananth Swamy, chief engineer, BBMP South Zone. "Residents were told to hand over garbage to trash collectors who visit early in the morning."

But things haven't changed much.

Venkatesh, a senior citizen living behind such a garbage dump near the Ashoka Pillar in Jayanagar 2nd Block, said they were sick of the foul smell. "It becomes difficult to pass through this area," he said. "The monsoon has made things worse by inviting mosquitoes and cows."

Violators had reasons of their own for doing what they did.

Sarita, a private company employee, was seen throwing a packet full of garbage near the Ashoka Pillar in Jayanagar 2nd Block.

"I work night shifts and I reach home in the morning at around 9.30 am," she said. "By that time the trash collectors have finished their rounds. So, I have no other option but to drop garbage here."

Muniamma, a domestic help working in Basavangudi, too dumps garbage at a place where a BBMP placard has been put up.

"People for whom I work showed me this place for dumping garbage six months ago," she said.