From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Nov 3: Viewing the garbage menace quite seriously, the state government is proposing to levy a littering fine of Rs 500 for the violators.
Announcing the state government’s resolve to rid the city of the garbage menace that has affected its image, deputy chief minister Dr G Parameshwara, who is holding the Bengaluru Development and Home portfolios, said the present fine of Rs 100 for those caught littering will be enhanced to Rs 500 and it will be strictly enforced.
He was speaking after holding a meeting with the Malleshwaram BBMP officials.
He said that black spots have been cropping up all over the city due to littering by few people.
To punish those caught littering, he said a proposal on increasing the fine to Rs 500 is under government consideration.
It will be passed immediately, the deputy chief minister said.
Dr Parameshwara said it has been decided to appoint a retired soldier at every ward to keep an eye on violators who dump waste at the black spots, he added.
He welcomed the Karnataka High Court’s recent order regarding waste management and said there was a severe issue of garbage in the city and the situation has been taken under control.
The population of Bengaluru is 13 million with 29 lakh houses. Out of this, 5 lac are commercial spaces.
A total of 5,700 tonnes of waste is being produced including 4,200 tonnes from residential spaces and 1,500 tonnes from hotel and wedding halls.
To manage this, he said 4,213 auto tippers were being deployed to collect waste from every house.
There are 566 compactors, 8 mechanical sweeper vehicles and 18,500 Pourakarmikas.
He said there are 166 management units, dry waste collection centres and 11 bio-methanation plants, out of which 6 are functioning.
The compactors have been set up with GPS and deliberations are on to set up GPS in auto tippers too.
He said that a clause that contractors must maintain the tippers and compactors will be added during the call for new tenders to buy vehicles.
A new tender will be called for the purchase of mechanical sweepers. There are 8 at present, the deputy chief minister said.
"The Bellahalli quarry will be shut in three months and as an alternate, the terra pharma at Doddaballapura will be upgraded and work will begin soon. It has been discussed to find alternate quarries at Ullalli, Marenahalli, Bagaluru."
The minister said he has instructed the BBMP to begin waste-to-energy plants within 6 months. He also informed that the power generation centre at Bidadi by BESCOM will be inaugurated in a few days.
Dr Parameshwara also said that assistant engineers will be appointed at every BBMP zone. This responsibilty has been given to senior health officers at every assembly constituency. The services of health officers and dafedars who have been appointed based on the contract will be continued.
Dr Parameshwara said that air pollution in the city must be controlled and a solution must be found for the traffic menace.
There have been discussions about a few solutions such as stopping new vehicle registration for a period of two years and introducing electric buses.
He said the idea of stopping the registration process of new vehicles is still being discussed and has not been enforced. Air pollution in Delhi is alarming and we must take necessary actions before Bengaluru too becomes a victim.
In this regard, a number of possible solutions are being discussed, he explained.