Vacant site: No action taken for cleaning

 BBMP: Notice not implemented even though order was issued seven months ago, no fine imposed

Vacant site: No action taken for cleaning

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: A seven-day deadline was given for cleaning vacant sites in the city, but even after seven months, the waste, plants and fences have not been cleared from the sites. The problems for neighbors are increasing.

A notice should be issued to the owners to clear the plants and fences and waste from vacant sites. If they do not take action within a week, the corporation itself should conduct the clearance operation and the cost and fine should be included in the property tax, Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath had issued an order in August 2024.

A new order was issued under the Solid Waste Management Rules-2016, Solid Waste Management By-Law 2020 and BBMP Act 2020 to collect fines and disposal costs from the owners for waste disposal from vacant plots. However, there is no action in most parts of the city regarding this.

In many parts of the city, vacant plots are not clean. Some have built compounds, but they are not particularly clean. People from neighboring areas or those traveling in vehicles throw away waste. Plants and bushes have grown. Due to the presence of waste, the menace of dogs, cats, rats and mice has increased. In some areas, vacant plots have also become a haven for snakes, creating anxiety for the neighbors.

‘There are many vacant plots in and around our block. Someone has thrown away waste in these plots. Plants and bushes have grown. This causes a foul smell to the residents of the neighborhood, and stray dogs are fighting for food. No one is removing the waste. Even after complaining to the BBMP, it has not been of any use,” complained T.E. Srinivas of Jayanna Layout in R.R. Nagar.

“We have a vacant plot adjacent to our house. They throw garbage there. The builders of the surrounding buildings have been bringing the waste there overnight and dumping it. No one is admitting their mistake. If you ask the owner of the plot, he says, ‘I cleaned it last month, what should I do?’ The BBMP must take strict action regarding the cleanliness of the vacant plot,” demanded Gowdaiah of Ullalu Main Road.

What are the steps that the authorities have to take as per the BBMP order?

• * A notice should be given to the owner with a specific period of seven days to  or clear the waste in the vacant site
• * If the owner fails to comply with the directions, the corporation should clear the waste in the site. Its cost and penalty should be mentioned in a separate table in the property tax demand notice and paid to the property owner within seven days.
• * The penalty and cost should be entered in the property tax books. It should be entered as the outstanding amount along with the property tax collection and collected.
• * In case of failure to pay within the specified period, the Zonal Commissioner should also levy applicable interest.

‘Zonal officers should take action’

‘The health department is no longer responsible for waste disposal management. Bangalore Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) should take action for waste disposal in the sites. Local engineers should serve notices to the owners and take action to collect the fine and clearance costs from them. "The Zonal Commissioner should take action," said Surolkar Vikas Kishore, Special Commissioner of Health and Sanitation Department, BBMP.

‘Greater Bengaluru’ administration in the hands of GBA

 BBMP split by ‘Greater Bengaluru Administration Bill’, power in hands of authority

‘Greater Bengaluru’ administration in the hands of GBA

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: The power of local bodies in the urban district will be curtailed, and all types of projects, financial power, and complete control of administration will come under the control of the ‘Greater Bengaluru Authority’ (GBA).

The ‘Greater Bengaluru Administration Bill- 2024’ has been approved in the legislature, according to which the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will be split. Many gram panchayats adjoining the BBMP boundaries are also expected to be included in the GBA. There is a possibility of creating seven urban municipalities with 150 wards each within the GBA. Thus, instead of being split or divided, the BBMP will be abolished.

According to the bill, not only the Bengaluru urban district, but also the areas notified by the government, including the areas of the Bengaluru rural district, will come under the jurisdiction of the GBA. Thus, there is a possibility that the GBA will include the areas of Ramanagara district along with the urban district and rural districts.

The ‘Joint Scrutiny Committee of the Legislative Assembly’, which examined the bill, has also suggested that ‘the economically strong Gram Panchayats of the urban district can also be included in the GBA’. Therefore, the scope of the GBA will be expanded as per the notifications issued by the government from time to time.

As per the 74th Amendment to the Constitution, the GBA will exercise most of the powers that the urban corporations should have. The bill also gives the GBA the power to perform the administrative functions of the urban corporations and exercise its powers.

The GBA will finalize the general cadre and appointment rules for the urban corporations. The GBA will also appoint Group A and Group B employees. Although C and D employees can be appointed by the Commissioners of the urban corporations, no disciplinary action can be taken against them. The responsibilities of preparing the city plan, which are given to the municipal corporation in Article 243 ZE of the Constitution, have also been given to the ‘Bengaluru Mahanagara Yojana Samiti’ (BMPC) to be formed under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister.

Who will be in the GBA?

The Chief Minister will be the ex-officio chairman of the ‘Greater Bengaluru Authority’. The Bengaluru Development Minister will be the vice-chairman, and the MLAs from the assembly constituencies under the GBA will be the members. The Chief Commissioner of GBA will be the member secretary. Members of Municipal Corporations, BDA Commissioner, Bangalore Water Board Chairman, BMTC, Namma Metro, BESCOM Managing Director, District Collector, Police Commissioner, Chief Executive Officer of Bangalore Metropolitan Road Transport Authority, Managing Director of Bangalore Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML), Chief Town Planner of GBA, Chief Engineer, Director of State Fire and Emergency Services, Commissioners of Municipal Corporations, members of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Vidhan Sabha, Legislative Council from GBA jurisdiction, representatives of Traffic Police, Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation, Lake Conservation and Development Board will be members. Also, the government can make an officer of any agency or department as a member.

Unconstitutional: Padmanabhareddy

‘Part IXA of the Constitution gives power to local bodies from Article 243P to Article 243ZG. Instead, there is no provision in the law to create an authority through the ‘Greater Bangalore Administration Bill-2024’ and give it powers,’ said Padmanabhar Reddy, former leader of the ruling party of BBMP.

‘The Chief Minister, who claims to be the heir of the Constitution, should immediately hold elections to BBMP to uphold democracy. The Constitution should be respected. Once the people’s representatives are elected to BBMP, they should be given the opportunity to discuss and advise on what is necessary for the administration of the city,’ he said.

‘2,500 tonnes of mixed waste landfilled every day’

 275 crore liquid waste treatment took three and a half years; ₹474 crore cost: Tushar Girinath

‘2,500 tonnes of mixed waste landfilled every day’

• Processing unit on 100 acres near Terrafarm in Doddaballapur
• Another unit on 100 acres of land given to Nice Road in Gollarahalli

Bengaluru: About one thousand tonnes of waste is being processed within the BBMP limits, and about 2,500 tonnes of mixed waste is being landfilled, said BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath.

The problem that arose in the Mittaganahalli-Kannur landfill area has been resolved, he informed reporters on Monday.

The problem was due to lack of communication between the locals of Mittaganahalli and Kannur and the contractors and officials. Work is being undertaken for the development of villages at a cost of ₹500 crore. He said that the work will start immediately after issuing the work order.

Garbage is being disposed of at night at Mittaganahalli landfill, and steps will be taken to dispose of it during the day as well. He said that minor problems have been resolved.

About 275 crore liters of liquid waste (leachate) is collected at Mittaganahalli landfill, and it will cost ₹474 crore to process it. A tender will be called for it soon. There are currently two 50 KLD liquid waste treatment plants in Mittaganahalli. If they are processed, it will take more than ten years. He explained that two MLD treatment plants will be set up and processed in three and a half years.

A tender was called for solid waste management as a new project. Few people participated in that tender. A tender is being called again after removing some elements. A new 100-acre area for solid waste disposal has been finalized near Terrafarm in Doddaballapur. The government has 50 acres of land and about 65 acres are being purchased from private parties. Also, 100 acres of land given to Nice Road near Gollarahalli is being acquired. If the units start at both these places, integrated solid waste disposal and processing will begin, said Tushar.

Mittaganahalli landfill : 300 crore liters of Leachate collected

 Daily hell for the people of Mittaganahalli, Bellahalli, groundwater polluted 

Mittaganahalli landfill : 300 crore liters of Leachate collected

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: The Mittaganahalli landfill area has been filled with more than 300 crore liters of liquid waste (leachate) due to the waste that has been dumped for about nine years. This has increased health problems in the surrounding villages and has also poisoned the groundwater.

The mixed waste collected in all 198 wards of Bengaluru and the remaining waste in the processing units is being dumped in the Mittaganahalli landfill area through more than 500 compactors. 

Every day from 6 am to 6 pm, compactors line up and dump the waste. leachate continues to pour out from the compactors that stand in a row. Liquid waste is dumped along the one and a half km road from Bellahalli Cross to Mittaganahalli landfill. Although it is a dirt road, it has turned darker in color than the asphalt. 

All types of waste have been dumped in the landfill for more than nine years. After the waste is dumped, construction waste is placed on top of it, but the leachate is flowing into four nearby ditches. Although it appears to be garbage on the surface, the liquid waste is filled to a depth of more than 50 feet. 

The Bellahalli lake, which is located near the Mittaganahalli landfill, is filled with leachatee. People living nearby are afraid to even touch its water. Thousands of people live in many large apartments behind this lake. They have to endure the stench of garbage every day. Also, health problems are increasing. 

‘leachate is flowing in Kannur Lake, Chikkagubbi Lake, Doddagubbi Lake and Rampur Lake, including Bellahalli Lake. All these lakes used to provide drinking water to people and livestock. But now, the water here is untouchable,’ said Ramachandrappa, a resident of Bellahalli.

‘When the problem increases, we protest. Some officials come and patch things up. The same problem again. No one has been providing a permanent solution to the problem for four years,’ complained Nagaraju of Bande Hosur.

‘Waste has been being disposed of scientifically in the Mittaganahalli landfill area for many years. The State Pollution Control Board report says that liquid waste is not entering the lakes,’ BSWML officials responded.

Elderly people suffer more

‘Locals are suffering from various diseases due to drinking water from wells. Chest pain, including dental and lung problems, is also being seen. When patients go to the doctor, they say that the problem is caused by water. leachate is getting into the borewells, which is causing such problems. Many residents, including children from Mittaganahalli, Bellahalli, and Bande Hosur, are experiencing health problems. The elderly are in more trouble,' said Gram Panchayat member Byre Gowda.

It is enough to transport the leachate from here!

'Croons of liters of leachate should be transported from here first. This is what is causing us the most problems. The amount of liquid waste in the Mittaganahalli landfill area is increasing day by day. Along with the foul smell, liquid waste is getting into the surrounding lakes. leachate is also getting into the groundwater, increasing the problem of drinking water. The unscientific disposal should be stopped,' said Kannur Gram Panchayat President S. Ashok.

Non-functioning leachate treatment plant

BBMP has set up a leachate treatment plant at the Mittaganahalli landfill as per the plan. However, this unit has been idle for many years and is like a dilapidated building. All the pipes installed around it have been torn down.

Lakhs of litres of leachate are produced in this landfill every day. A leachate treatment plant has been set up at a cost of tens of crores to process it. Since it is not functioning, liquid waste has filled up four ditches, each more than 50 feet deep.

Kannur Gram Panchayat blocks Garbage Dumping

 Compactors filled with waste lined up at Mittaganahalli, Bellahalli landfills

Kannur Gram Panchayat blocks Garbage Dumping 

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: More than 300 compactors that collect waste from many parts of the city are not empty. As compactors have been lined up at the Mittaganahalli landfill for two days, waste is filling up the city's roads.

'Waste is being disposed of unscientifically, and the surrounding environment is being damaged. Liquid waste (leachate) is coming out more and more, and the surrounding lakes, ditches, wells, and borewells are also polluted. This impurity is getting mixed in the daily water and is having a bad effect on health. Therefore, stop the unscientific waste disposal,' Kannur Gram Panchayat members are campaigning.

‘BBMP has been disposing of garbage in the government cowshed of Mittaganahalli village for nine years. But without taking care of the environment here, they have not fulfilled the promise made before starting the disposal. Therefore, we will not allow compactors to landfill waste,’ said Kannur Gram Panchayat President S. Ashok, members led by Ashok blocked the path of the compactors.

‘We have complained to Bangalore Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) about this, but to no avail. The liquid waste flowing from the Mittaganahalli landfill area has polluted Bellahalli Lake, Kannur Lake, Chikkagubbi Lake, Dodda Gubbi Lake and Rampur Lake, and thousands of fish are dying. The groundwater has been contaminated. They have complained that dozens of health problems are being faced by local residents and have also written to the state government's Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, requesting action.

Inside the Mittaganahalli landfill area and up to Bellahalli, Bellahalli Cross, compactors filled with waste have been lined up for two days. There is a problem of foul smell here every day, and the foul smell has increased further since the compactors are parked.

No water, no food: drivers

"They are not allowing waste disposal since Tuesday morning. Hundreds of compactors are standing on the road. They are not leaving, they are not there. They have not been able to eat since yesterday. This is a deserted area. They do not get food or water. If you need anything, you have to walk two km. What happened here on Monday night was terrible," the compactor drivers lamented.

‘We were standing near Bellahalli Cross on Tuesday morning, sir. This morning (Tuesday), some compactors went inside. However, no compactor is leaving the weighing gate,’ he said.

‘About 25 compactors that disposed of waste at the Mittaganahalli landfill on Tuesday morning have been prevented from leaving. The way to and from the compactor has been blocked,’ the drivers said.

Fierce struggle if scientific disposal is not done: Ashok

‘Waste is being dumped unscientifically at the Mittaganahalli landfill. Animal waste, medical waste, toxic waste from factories are also being brought here and dumped. A body was also found along with the waste. A complaint was made to BSWML Chief General Manager Lokesh about this, but to no avail. Waste disposal has been prevented because garbage is not being disposed of scientifically. No one has come to talk to us. If our request is not met, the villagers and educational institutions will fight,” said Kannur Gram Panchayat President S. Ashok.

Unnecessary trouble: Lokesh

‘In Mittaganahalli, waste is being disposed of in the same way as landfills were used in the past years. There is no difference. However, some people have unnecessarily caused trouble and blocked the compactors. Talks are being held with them,’ said BSWML Chief General Manager Lokesh.

‘They are saying that the production of liquid waste (leachate) in the landfill area is high and the lakes are polluted. However, according to the report given by the State Pollution Control Board, no liquid waste is entering the lakes. We are disposing of waste scientifically. The body was not found in our landfill area. It is where construction waste is dumped. It has nothing to do with waste,’ he said.

Waste left in autos

As compactors filled with waste have been stopped at the Mittaganahalli landfill, waste collected from homes in many areas of the city is left in autos. 

Around 400 compactors were disposing of waste at the Mittaganahalli landfill every day from 6 am to 6 pm. This disposal did not take place on Tuesday and Wednesday. The compactors did not come out. Thus, the waste remains in autos in the city, creating a foul smell on the roads.

‘There is a problem in some areas of the city due to the waste not being landfilled in Mittaganahalli. We can manage it for the next two days. After that, there will be a problem,’ said BSWML Chief General Manager Lokesh.

‘Kere Connect Habba’ to create awareness among citizens

 Aiming to make local residents, students responsible for protecting water bodies

‘Kere Connect Habba’ to create awareness among citizens

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: ‘Kere Connect Habba- 2025’ has been launched with the aim of making citizens and children aware of the lakes in the city and informing the locals about the responsibility of the communities in their protection.

‘Kere Connect Habba’ aims to make citizens aware of the importance of lakes in the city, and to provide solutions to local residents to face water security, flood problems and other challenges.

Rapid urbanization has reduced sustainable living with water resources. ‘Kere Connect Habba’ is being celebrated to recreate such a connection. Experts will provide information about biodiversity through this festival. Residents around the respective lakes, associations involved in lake protection, and school children will be brought together and their roles in water protection will be explained.

The ‘Kere Connect Habba’ is being organized by the India Care Foundation in several lakes of the city, along with Friends of Lake, along with many corporate and local organizations. The organizers said that permission has been obtained from the BBMP to celebrate the festival in the lakes.

Permission: Permission has been granted to ‘Kere Connect Habba’ in several lakes of the city to create awareness among the people and to prevent damage to the lake environment. Separate permission is being obtained for celebrating the festival in each lake, said Vijayakumar Haridas, Chief Engineer, Lakes Department, BBMP.

Ganga-Kaveri Aarti for a lake without water flow!

The Srigandhada  Kaval Lake of  near Magadi Road was developed by the BBMP two years ago at a cost of ₹22.4 crore. However, today there is not even a drop of water in this lake. Ganga-Kaveri Aarti is organized in such a lake during the ‘Kere Connect Habba’.

The Srigandhada  Kaval Lake has been developed by the BBMP under the ‘Shubhra Bengaluru’ project and the previous canal route has been changed. Water does not come from the existing inflow. Therefore, despite good rainfall for the last two years, this lake is not filled with even a couple of feet of water.

The Srigandhada  Kaval Lake, which has been constructed unscientifically, is like a ‘hi-tech park’, and the lake has lost its existence due to the lack of inflow.

‘Let the feeling of calling the lake theirs come’

‘The residents around the lake do not even know that the Srigandhada  Kaval Lake is here. Even the children of the schools in the vicinity are not aware of the lake. Therefore, the locals and children should feel that the lake is theirs. They should take responsibility to protect it and keep it clean. Therefore, the ‘Kere Connect Habba’ has been organized on Saturday, March 15 at Srigandhada  Kaval Lake. Various programs have been organized from 7 am to night. We will perform aarti so that water comes to the lake and fills it up even in the next rainy season. ‘Usiru and Team Spotlight organizations will manage the program,’ said Shobha Bhat of Usiru.

Festival at Kaval Lake in Srigandha (Saturday, March 15)

• Lake biodiversity walk
• Children's painting competition
• Stage program
• Information and discussion from experts
• Food from the garden workshop
• Rural games
• Cultural program
• Deepotsava, Ganga-Kaveri Aarti
• Collection of old clothes, old shoes
• Free bag stitching offer if you bring old clothes
• Exhibition stalls on sustainability awareness

BBMP budget to exceed ₹18 thousand crore

 Implementation of mega projects, allocation of funds are in ‘realistic budget’!

BBMP budget to exceed ₹18 thousand crore

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, which has received a large contribution of grants and guarantees through the state government budget, is preparing to present an ‘outline budget’ for the implementation of its mega projects.

BBMP, which will receive an additional grant of ₹4 thousand crore from the state budget from 2025-26, will provide information on which projects it will allocate it, and how the tunnel road project, which has received a guarantee of ₹19 thousand crore, will be implemented. Thus, it is estimated that the BBMP budget will exceed ₹18 thousand crore.

In the last one year, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has announced many projects, including mega projects, including the tunnel road. The feasibility report for the ‘Bengaluru Integrated Traffic Management Project’, which will construct 16 flyovers/underpasses for smooth traffic in the city at a cost of about ₹54,000 crore, is also ready. 

Officials said that the BBMP budget will indicate the funding for 21 projects under the ‘Brand Bengaluru’ concept, including these projects, and the city’s infrastructure projects, their titles and implementation areas. 

There are many doubts among the citizens about the tunnel road project, which is considered the city’s biggest project, at a cost of about ₹40,000 crore. There is also confusion about the implementation process of this project. The budget will provide a clear outline to resolve all this. 

Although the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is ready, the process of inviting tenders for the north-south corridor of the tunnel road has been postponed by four months. Now, the tender process will start only after the budget. The state government's budget clearly states that a 'Special Purpose Vehicle' (SPV) will be set up for the implementation and management of major projects. Thus, the BBMP budget will decide which projects will be managed under the SPV, as well as the procedure for the SPV.

Presentation on 20: 

BBMP budget preparation is in the final stage, all that remains is to hold a meeting with the people's representatives and seek their advice. After this, the budget will be finalized under the guidance of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who is also the Bengaluru Development Minister.

Since March 30 and 31 are government holidays, the BBMP budget has to be approved by the government by March 29. Thus, the budget will be presented on March 20 or 21. Sources said that the BBMP, which has received 'financial strength' from the state government, hopes to present a budget that is popular with the people of the city.

Final preparations underway: Harish

‘The preparation of the BBMP budget is in the final stages, and discussions will be held with the city’s ministers and MLAs this week. Suggestions have already been received from the citizens. A ‘real budget’ will be presented, which will include the nature and implementation details of the projects to be undertaken in the city next year,’ said BBMP Finance Special Commissioner Harish Kumar.

BBMP Budget 2024–25

₹ 12,371.63 crore; Total Budget Estimate

₹ 12,369.46 crore; Total Expenditure

₹2.17 crore; Savings

=

BBMP Budget 2023–24

₹11,163 crore; Total Budget Estimate

₹11,157 crore; Total Expenditure

₹6.14 crore; Savings