HSR Layout, Chikpete and Sarvajna Nagar top ‘waste segregation’ ranking in Bangalore

By Qamar ZJ

The residents of HSR Layout, Chikpete, Sarvajna Nagar, and Hongasandra do the most waste segregation, according to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). These neighbourhoods were followed by Malleswaram and Gandhinagar. All these wards are the cleanest compared to the rest of them in the city. What has helped in all these regions, particularly HSR Layout, are the proactive residents themselves, their garbage supervisors, and BBMP health inspector. When the contractors, BBMP officials and the resident groups work together, much change can happen, and HSR Layout has shown the way. 

At the zonal level, the residents of Bommanahalli, Yelahanka and Dasarahalli do the most waste segregation. These zones have taken the first, second and third ranking for managing waste segregation at source and being fined the least for violating the Solid Waste Management rules. 

According to the BBMP, the ranking for August 2020 was derived by recording the number of fines and the amount of waste segregation at source. At the zonal level, Bommanahalli emerged at the top with a segregation score of 0.01817, and registering only 81 fines for non-compliance during this entire month. The next rank went to Yelahanka, Dasarahalli, and RR Nagar. Interestingly, while Bommanahalli retained its position in the divisional and ward-level ranking too, the other ranks were shared by completely different entities. In the divisional ranks, Mahalakshmi Layout, Byatarayanapura and Kengeri occupied the second, third, and fourth positions. 

‘Those not giving waste to BBMP are under watch’

The BBMP is now targeting areas where the households are not handing over the waste to the civic agency. “Such households are noted by link workers,” says Randeep D, BBMP (SWM) Special Commissioner. “If they dump garbage in public spaces, fines will be imposed and strict legal action is taken.” The drive is headed in the right direction as another resident Siva complained to the BBMP that VGP Layout in Kudlu village is one such area. “No one is giving garbage to BBMP in VGP and Keshava Layout,” says Siva. “They are throwing it behind their building. There are about 100 residents. There is a rajakaluve (major stormwater drain) behind their building. They wrap all the garbage in a polythene bag and throw it into the drain. We can see this happening every day from our apartment.”

Some residents felt that the system could be improved. “How will you know who dumped the garbage in open spaces when you have allowed so many black spots to come up in each area?” asks Rajani Santosh. “I only compost and give dry waste weekly to the auto tippers. I have no wet waste to give the daily pickup truck. Are you tracking me too?” BBMP can address this by analysing the monthly patterns and also talking to the households under watch to eliminate this problem highlighted by Rajani. 

However, some residents are also complaining that these auto tippers are mixing the segregated waste later. When the residents from Kadugodi complained about this, Randeep asked them to corroborate with visual evidence. 

Some residents have drastic suggestions to penalise the litter brigade. “Just disconnect the water and power supply to such houses,” says Ram Mohan. “Then, they will fall in line.” A few residents though have genuine problems with the auto tippers. “They are demanding money,” alleges Suresh Israel. The tippers are not punctual, says another resident. “A few residents from the non-BDA area have made our area, an official dumping ground by saying that the BBMP workers don’t pick up garbage from their doorstep,” says Kumar. Similarly, Venugopal highlights another issue that can easily be solved by the night patrol marshals: “There are ruffians who throw food and liquor bottles in the cover of darkness in layouts by swinging it from their two-wheelers and vanishing?”

Have complaints?

Garbage is an issue that needs to be constantly monitored by vigilant citizens, resident groups, and civic officials. We give you all the numbers and email IDs you need to report any such garbage-related complaints. Our only advice: Keep complaining until your problem is addressed. Never give up with just one complaint. 

• Physical location: Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike ,Head Office, N.R. Square, Hudson Circle, Bengaluru – 560002.
• BBMP helpline: 080-22660000
• Special Commissioner (Solid Waste Management), 080-22975534, specialswmbbmp@gmail.com
• Joint Commissioner (Health and SWM), 080-22975591, jcswmbbmp@gmail.com
• Chief engineer (SWM), 080-22975518, ceswm2@gmail.com