BANGALORE: The focus of the Union Budget on garbage disposal will certainly help solve the city’s solid waste management crisis, provided the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and state government make use of the support extended by the Centre, experts said.
Former BBMP commissioner Siddaiah lauded the Centre for prioritising the garbage menace and solid waste management, which he said was the need of the hour.
He said it is the first time that solid waste management has been featured in the Union Budget and urged the BBMP and the state government to utilise the financial and technological aid offered by the Centre.
BBMP Commissioner M Lakshminarayana said that at present, under the 13th Finance Commission, `100 crore has been allotted to Bangalore for dealing with the garbage menace. The BBMP will use the amount to set up waste processing units, he said.
“Now that the Centre has announced support, the financial crisis faced by BBMP will be resolved soon. We can now set up processing units and other facilities for waste disposal,” Lakshminarayana said.
BBMP Solid Waste Management Expert Committee member N S Ramakanth said the announcement comes as a relief to BBMP, which is facing a financial crunch.
“A huge amount of money is required to develop infrastructure for solid waste disposal. The Palike should make use of this provision.”
“Many times in the past, BBMP authorities failed to make use of Union government funds as they come with a lot of conditions. We should abide by the conditions set and take advantage of the support extended as it will help solve Bangalore’s waste disposal crisis,” Ramakanth added.
Solid waste management expert and member of the Bangalore Political Action Committee (BPAC) Kalpana Kar said any amount of funds directed towards BBMP for solid waste disposal would be good as the city will be able to set up additional decentralised waste processing units.
It may be recalled that during his recent visit to the city, Union Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu had assured the state government of providing all possible help to deal with solid waste management in Bangalore.