BENGALURU: The garbage issue is rotting more than ever before. To save themselves from all the muck, at least 15 villages in Banashankari VI Stage and one residents’ welfare association (RWA) have joined the protest bandwagon, citing pollution and serious health hazards.
The affected residents of Banashankari VI Stage as well as 15-20 villages in Yeshwantpur constituency will stage a protest on May 10 to demand shutting down of the Lingadheeranahalli Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) plant, which is situated in the heart of the residential colony of the 5th Block, BSK VIth Stage.
Express had reported how residents had fought against setting up of the plant (Another Mandur in the Making - October 9, 2014). Today, they are affected by the stench emanating from the plant, resulting in respiratory problems in many. Residents say the plant should be shifted to a place where no people live nearby.
One resident from Metkalpalya village told Express, “We have been complaining to the authorities concerned, but till date, no action has been taken. The smell is unbearable and it spreads over 5-6 km.”
A member of BSK residents’ welfare association, which is organising the protest, said, “With 25,000 residents based around the dumping site, it is a serious cause for concern. The leakage of poisonous gases and pests which thrive in the area result in fever, headache, dengue, chickungunya, and skin and eye diseases.”
The RWA added that six people from Sompura, Chennavirannapalya and Gollahalli recently died because of respiratory problems.
‘Netas Should Stay Here’
One villager from Sompura said, “The government has shut its eyes and ears to our problems. These ministers should be made to stay here. It is impossible to live in this place as the plant has polluted both the air and water sources in our neighbourhood.”
One RWA member said, “We have submitted umpteen memorandums to the authorities in the last two years since this pristine area of more than nine acres, surrounded by a lake and forests, was cleared for a waste processing site without any public hearing. Presently, it is a hell hole. The list of affected villages is long - Metkalpalya, Dasegowdanapalya, Chikkagowdanpalya and Gattigerepalya and it extends till Thalgattapura. We will intensify our protest.”