The High Court on Thursday directed the state government to appoint a special officer to look into the garbage crisis in the city and directed the BBMP to take up an awareness campaign on segregation of waste at source.
It also directed the civic body to take stringent action against bulk generators who fail to adhere to the laid-out procedures while disposing of waste.
A division bench comprising Justice N Kumar and Justice B V Nagarathna passed the order while hearing a batch of PILs seeking action against the BBMP for “not acting on the garbage problem”.
The bench said, “No doubt, it is encouraging to see many people trying to help the city to be clean. But unless everyone shows the same interest, it is not possible to achieve the uphill task.”
One of the reasons for noncooperation may be ignorance. Therefore, it is of utmost importance for the BBMP as well as the state government to take appropriate steps to tell people about the need to segregate dry waste and wet waste and how it should be disposed of and how the corporation authorities will assist them during disposal.”
The bench further said, “As most of the people are addicted to TV, it will be appropriate that the authorities spread the message through such a publicity so that the people will not only cooperate with the BBMP, but also help in keeping the city clean... any money spent on advertisement to create awareness will be the most valuable contribution.”
The bench directed the BBMP to take immediate steps to carry out the propaganda to make people “aware of their duties and responsibilities”.
The counsel for the petitioners said, “About 1,900 tonnes (of waste) is generated per day by bulk generators.”
The bench said bulk generators had to be treated as a separate class, and the BBMP should take steps to make them obey the law, failing which appropriate action should be taken against them.
The BBMP counsel said within two days an official would be appointed exclusively to monitor collection, removal and transportation of garbage generated by bulk generators.
The counsel also said the official would be present in the court during the next hearing and answer the questions raised by the court.
The counsel further said in Yelahanka, segregation of waste was going on smoothly.
On Saturday, a meeting would be convened at the Town Hall with NGOs, residential associations and the public to chalk out a programme for awareness on segregation of waste.