BENGALURU: Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) got some breathing space on Tuesday after villagers near Bingipura landfill agreed to allow 140 garbage trucks on a daily basis in for one more month.
Bangalore District In-charge Minister Ramalinga Reddy, Bengaluru Rural MP D K Suresh Gowda and Mayor B N Manjunath Reddy managed to talk to the villagers and get a month’s time.
Ramalinga Reddy, however, conceded that the Palike would need two months. Narayanappa, a resident of Bingipura, said the villagers had agreed to allow 140 garbage trucks. “We will keep an eye on the number. If the number exceeds, we will send them back,” he said. He said the trucks would be allowed only till October 15.
Narayanappa said the BBMP had agreed to adopt three villages near landfill sites that were badly affected. These are Bettadasapura, Podu and Bingipura, where BBMP will develop roads and drains and provide for other basic amenities. A public health centre will also be constructed for villagers. He said the villagers had demanded supply of Cauvery water. “BBMP has deposited Rs 1.85 crore with BWSSB for water connection. The minister assured us that work will begin soon,” he said.
B Sardar Basha from Doddatogur gram panchayat said BBMP officials and the minister told them that the processing unit at Chikkanagamangala will be functional from October 1. After that, trucks will be diverted to that place, thereby reducing the burden on Bingipura landfill, he said. “We have also demanded free health insurance to villagers from these three villages. They have assured us it will be done,” he said. Villagers warned the officials that if after October 15, waste is sent to Bingipura, they will burn the trucks and intensify the agitation.
More Time Sought
Ramalinga Reddy said the government has asked the villagers for two months’ time. “We need to check if all the processing units, which are completed, work up to their capacities. Only then, we can stop sending waste to Bingipura. Villagers demanded better water, a water treatment plant, roads and other facilities, to all of which we have agreed. For now, waste will be sent there and public need not worry about the garbage generated during the festival,” he said.