BENGALURU: Flies continue to haunt residents in the vicinity of Lingadheeranahalli Solid Waste Management Plant, swarming into homes and outside, and forcing people to stay indoors. This is just one of the many serious issues for which no solutions have been found. The government has rejected the proposal sent by Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) to approve the tender to construct a leachate treatment plant.
This was brought to the notice of Upa Lokayukta Justice KN Phaneendra when he visited the plant on Monday to follow up on measures taken by BSWML authorities, to comply with directions issued by him after his last visit.
The authorities informed Justice Phaneendra that a proposal was sent to the state government to construct a leachate treatment plant to address the issue of leachate, which is being directly let into open drains and is polluting the area. The Upa Lokayukta had taken up the issue suo motu, but the state government rejected it.
Residents narrated their woes to Justice Phaneendra, saying they have to stay indoors, and cannot have any outdoor activities due to the swarms of flies. Most of them suffer from breathing issues and chest pain because of severe air pollution due to the plant. There is also the overpowering stench and leachate. Some steps have been taken to comply with his directions, like disposing of old waste.
The Upa Lokayukta also ordered fixing of meshes for windows and doors to keep out flies, which find their way in despite flycatchers being kept. He also directed BSWML authorities to organise a medical camp for residents, and convene a meeting once a month to hear their grievances and address them.
Justice Phaneendra also directed that the Range Forest Officer be impleaded as a respondent to the case as the BM Kaval reserved forest has been allegedly encroached for the solid waste management plant.
He directed the chief general manager and chief engineer, BSWML, and environment officers to submit a report after addressing issues raised by the residents.