BENGALURU: Very soon, garbage in Bengaluru will be transported in hi-tech trucks. The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is getting its garbage trucks fitted with global positioning systems (GPS) and load (weight) sensors.
This move is expected to bring more transparency in solid waste management. The trucks will be used to transport waste from secondary points to processing units or where waste is designated to be disposed of. Special Commissioner for Solid Waste Management, Darpan Jain, told Express that the Palike can track the movement of garbage trucks through GPS as well as get real-time data on the quantity of waste being transported.
On the advantages of these technologies, Jain said BBMP can ensure waste is disposed of at the proper place. “We will get to know if contractors dump waste in places other than the designated ones. With load sensors, we will get a clear picture of the quantity of waste generated per ward and we can ensure the entire quantity of waste is disposed of scientifically,” he added.
“To begin with, BBMP will fit these equipment on 100 garbage trucks from East zone. State-owned Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (KEONICS) has developed the load sensors. We will fix it on the trucks in two months. Based on the outcome, we will extend it to other zones,” Jain said.
A senior official said garbage contractors have formed a mafia. “We pay the contractors on the basis of tonnage and distance. But many of them are dumping waste at undesignated places nearby and also claim they transported more waste. There is no proper mechanism to monitor them. Now, with the sensors and GPS, these irregularities can be tackled,” he said.
‘Bills Will Be Verified’
BBMP Commissioner M Lakshminarayana said garbage contractors are not lifting garbage at many places. Even if they do, it is dumped elsewhere. “Also, they used to claim bills despite not lifting or transporting waste. But now, with GPS and load sensors, we will get the exact data of kilometres travelled and the route, along with the quantity of waste lifted. When they present their bills, we will have the data of their vehicles and I will tell our officials to clear bills only after verifying the data,” he said.