Though the BBMP’s step to make the city ‘Swaccha Bengaluru’ comes as a relief to Bangaloreans, the Namma Metro project site near Vijayanagar Tollgate is home to garbage that has not been cleared for two months. This has led to regular vomiting and mild fever among six metro workers.
The Pillar 266 and 267 are utilised as garbage dumping yards by a party hall and other commercial establishments. The rise in mosquitoes and rats continue to haunt Metro workers, not allowing them to do their work properly. “The site stinks and we are left with no other option but to continue working. As we come from other states, we don't want to get involved in other people's business,” said Raju (name changed), an engineer. "The garbage is mostly being dumped on the equipment and we find it very difficult to work," he added.
The situation has worsened with the heavy rain this week and may lead to the outbreak of diseases. A security guard working at the Metro site suffered from vomiting after last week's rainfall. “Because of the rain, there is a pile of garbage at our door step. We are unable to sleep at night as the surrounding is full of mosquitoes,” he said, adding that a complaint was filed but no action has been taken yet.
While Metro officials are unaware of the problem faced by their workers, Mayor D Venkatesha Murthy asserted that the garbage will be cleaned soon. “We will look into the issue and solve it soon,” he said.