The city’s lack of preparedness was evident on day one as BBMP’s new rule of segregation of waste at the source came into effect on Monday.
While in some areas pourakarmikas were seen segregating waste that residents were expected to do, elsewhere, waste that was painstakingly segregated by residents and handed over to pourakarmikas, was mixed up again by Bruhart Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) workers at a collection point.
Officials admitted that the poor response from residents was due to a lack of awareness. Mayor D Venkatesh Murthy himself said the Palike’s ambitious plan was only 15 per cent successful on day one.
Segregation of waste at the source was meant to streamline solid waste management in the city.
The mayor told reporters on Monday that he had personally written to all city MLAs and councillors to adopt segregation of waste at their homes.
“I am following this rule at my house and I request others to do the same. I will now contact them over phone and request them to follow the rule. It is a collective effort. Pourakarmikas and officials along with councillors play an important role in making our initiative a success,” Murthy said.
On Tuesday, the mayor will carry out a door-to-door campaign in his ward. “I will kickstart the campaign at 8 am at Kempegowda Layout in my ward,” he said. “Councillors and officials will join hands with me,” he added.
When contacted, BBMP commissioner Rajneesh Goel said that he had visited many areas in the city. When asked about levying penalties on violators, Goel said they are yet to send the garbage bylaws to the state government. “We need to get an approval for it. Till then, we will educate people,” he said.