Mayor B S Sathyanarayana on Wednesday squarely blamed Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials, saying that they do not have the commitment to keep the city clean.
Speaking to reporters, the Mayor said health inspectors and assistant engineers, especially at the K R Market area, are yet to be sensitised. “These officials have no commitment. They are irresponsible. We will suspend them if they do not change their attitude. Elected representatives have to always ask them to clear garbage. Why can’t they do it on their own?” he questioned.
Sathyanarayana said that very soon, solid waste management will be brought under the aegis of the Health Department from the Engineering Department.
Earlier in the day, the Mayor, while speaking to officers at IPP centre in Malleswaram, said, “From assistant engineers to chief engineers, everyone has to move around their wards and zones to monitor garbage clearance,” he told.
On the cleaning of K R Market, Sathyanarayana told officials to maintain it on par with malls. “If anyone see filth in market, they might not buy vegetables or fruits,” he said.
On setting up garbage processing units, the Mayor said that a Bangalore-based company has developed a machine which can dissolve garbage, leaving very less quantity of inert (non-decomposing) waste. “They are giving demonstrations in the next 15 days. If we are satisfied, it will be extended to all wards. If we dispose of waste at ward level, the cost of transportation and dependency on dumps yard can be reduced,” he said.
Recalling the recent incident where vendors irked students who had come to clean K R Market, Satyanarayana said he has warned the traders that the market will be shut down for a week if cleanliness is not maintained. “Now, the traders have come forward to clean the market themselves,” the Mayor said.