Festival waste management plan is in place, say BBMP officials

Bengaluru civic body is concerned about the waste disposals that are expected to mount during the forthcoming long festive weekend. From fruits to flowers, vegetables to food waste usually are generated in double to triple quantity than usual. The quantum of waste generated during the 10 days of Dussehra is higher compared to other festive events.

Bangaluru is witnessing a minimum 35 per cent rise in waste generation, during the festive period. The city generates around 4,500 tonnes of waste daily; and 1,000 tonnes generated by bulk generators that get picked up by empanelled vendors.

According to Sarfaraz Khan, Joint Commissioner (Solid Waste Management), Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the civic body already has in place a festival waste management plan. “We have identified areas where a lot of festival waste is generated and have instructed officials to maintain cleanliness by ensuring that no waste is left uncollected,” he said. Subhash B. Adi, who heads the National Green Tribunal’s Karnataka chapter, has written to the BBMP on the issue. BBMP Special Commissioner (SWM) D. Randeep said the civic body was instructed to check if night collection is possible in the market areas.

Last year, waste collection took a hit when the processing plants were closed for Ayudha Puja and the civic body faced a problem of manpower shortage. This time, officials are not leaving anything to chance. Assistant executive engineers have been instructed to coordinate on ground efforts and all the processing plants have been asked to remain open.