Pramesh S Jain
*Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to launch city-wide drive on August 01.
*Minister appeals to citizens to join hands in ‘Just Clean Bengaluru (JCB)’ initiative.
*Vacant site owners asked to clean properties before August 15.
*22,000 tonnes of legacy waste already mapped at 1,616 locations.
Bengaluru will begin a month-long campaign from August 1 to clear its footpaths, roadsides,public spaces and vacant sites of construction debris,mud,discarded material and other legacy waste that has accumulated over several years.
Announcing the campaign after a review meeting with civic agencies here today, Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said the drive will focus exclusively on legacy waste-mud,soil, construction and demolition (C&D) debris,discarded pipes,electricity poles,stones,weeds and similar bulky material that has piled up along roadsides, footpaths, public places and vacant sites.
Black spots created by household waste will be taken up in a subsequent phase, he clarified.
The Minister said Chief Minister D.K.Shivakumar will formally launch the ‘Freedom from Waste’ campaign on August 1,which will run across the entire Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) area through the month of August.
*”This is about giving Bengalureans back the spaces that belong to them,the Minister said.A footpath buried under debris is not a footpath.Our first task is to physically reclaim these spaces,and then to make sure they are never lost again.”
*Why the clean-up matters:
The Minister said indiscriminate dumping along roadsides and in public places has allowed weeds and vegetation to take over,turning these spots into breeding grounds for rats, snakes and mosquitoes.
Beyond the public health risk,every uncleared dump invites further dumping-steadily degrading the city’s cleanliness,safety and appearance.
He added that a large number of vacant sites across the city have accumulated soil, waste and overgrown vegetation, and causing considerable inconvenience to neighbouring residents.The Government has received hundreds of citizen complaints on such sites.
*22,000 tonnes identified at 1,616 locations:
A survey conducted so far has identified approximately 22,000 tonnes of legacy waste at 1,616 locations across the city.The Government estimates that more than one lakh tonnes of such waste may exist across Bengaluru in total.
Legacy waste has accumulated not only along roadsides,footpaths,public places and vacant sites,but also on vacant land belonging to various government departments, obstructing public movement.
The clean-up is being carried out in coordination with the Greater Bengaluru Authority,the five City Corporations, Indian Railways, the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA),the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB),BESCOM, K-RIDE,the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and several other agencies.
Around 100 vehicles have been deployed for the operation,and officials have been instructed to add more wherever required. Designated disposal spots have been identified across all five GBA zones.
Bengaluru’s civic challenges cannot be solved by one agency working alone,the Minister said.”Every department that owns land in this city is part of this campaign, and every department is accountable for what lies on it.
*Vacant site owners given until August 15th :
The Minister appealed to owners of vacant sites to voluntarily clear their properties on or before August 15.
To make this easier,officials have been directed to make available – through the respective City Corporations – the contact details of agencies and contractors engaged in waste removal,so that owners can readily avail of these services.
Sites not cleared after August 15 will be cleaned by the concerned City Corporation,with the cost recovered along with property tax.The schedule of charges for such recovery will be announced shortly.
*Preventing waste from returning:
Locations cleared under the campaign will be placed under strict monitoring to prevent re-dumping,the Minister said.
Waste must be disposed of only at locations designated by the City Corporations, and strict action will be taken against anyone found dumping waste in public places.
*GPS to be made mandatory for C&D waste vehicles:
In a significant enforcement measure, the Minister announced that all vehicles transporting Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste will be required to install GPS devices.All such vehicles must also be registered, and only registered vehicles will be permitted to carry C&D waste.
The measure is aimed at stopping the illegal dumping of construction debris in public places at its source.The Greater Bengaluru Authority,the Police Department and the Transport Department will shortly hold a joint meeting to finalise and implement the system.
*Authorised agency for scientific disposal:
An authorised agency has been designated for the scientific disposal of C&D waste in the city, with a user charge fixed at ₹760 per tonne.
All construction debris must henceforth be handed over only to registered agencies.Contact details of the authorised agencies will be made available to the public.
*Citizens urged to join ‘Just Clean Bengaluru’:
The Minister appealed to citizens to actively join the ‘Just Clean Bengaluru (JCB)’ initiative.While government agencies will carry out the large-scale removal,he said, sustained public participation is equally essential to the campaign’s success.
Government machinery can clear the debris.Keeping it clear is something we can only do together,”Minister said.”I would urge every citizen, every site owner and every resident welfare association to treat this as their own campaign – for a cleaner, better Bengaluru.”
Officials present in the meeting included:Additional Chief Secretary,Tushar Giri Nath;Chief Commissioner, Maheshwar Rao;BWSSB Chairperson,Manjula;Special Commissioner,Niteesh;Municipal Commissioners, Ramesh D.S,Pommal Sunil Kumar,Ramesh K.N G. Jagadish and Dr.Rajendra K.V.;Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited CEO Karigowda;Additional Commissioners; Chief Engineers;and officials from BESCOM, Traffic Police, Railways, K-RIDE, KIADB, BDA, NHAI and other departments.
