BENGALURU: Despite the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited’s (BSWML) efforts to clear garbage and fix blackspots, residents seem to care less and dump mounds of mixed waste on the streets, defeating the purpose of a ‘Clean Bengaluru’ campaign.
At Annasandra Palya, LBS Nagar, FA Quarters Road in HAL ward, and many other areas in the city, it is evident that the litterbugs are flouting BSWML waste segregation rules. Officials said they have begun to impose Rs 1,000 to 15,000 fines on bulk waste generators, waste collectors and officials for failing to comply with rules.
The officials said there is a provision under the Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules to impose penalties against residents, waste pickers, contractors and officials if the waste is not segregated. Rs 1,000 against residents who are categorised under ‘domestic’ and also waste collectors, including officials, for giving and collecting mixed waste.
For repeated offence, the penalty is doubled. Similarly, penalties are levied for handing over mixed to unauthorised collectors (Rs 5000), from small commercial establishments (Rs 10,000) to large commercial establishments and bulk waste generators (Rs 15,000).
“While the civic agency announced measures like dumping waste at the doorstep and also collected penalties for littering the streets, the measures seem to have little impact on the mindset, as people come and dump mixed waste at early or late night when Marshalls are not around.
The civic body should launch a drive for a month or two and catch offences on the spot, then the incidents of littering will come down,” said a retired engineer.
Nasty affair
Total Cases filed by BSWML for non segregation of waste and use of banned single-use on April 1 298
Total Penalty Collected D1,76,000