Monday, May 9th brought us a surprise – the Commissioner for SWM Bangalore, Subodh Yadav was coming to Ward 80 for an interaction with RWA’s, residents and civic officials.
I say surprise, because we were told at 7.30 am on Monday that we had to be present at 9 am. However, Yadav’s office had informed BBMP officials three days earlier!
It was an interesting event – many of us were meeting him for the first time. Unfortunately it was a meeting without a preset agenda, perhaps the whole plan of local officials. The menace of Indira Nagar’s garbage was discussed, and many interesting facts came to light – mostly about garbage mismanagement by the BBMP, and what unplanned commercialisation, zoning violations and rampant corruption has done to the residents.
Subodh Yadav addressing the attendees at the meeting. Pic: I Change Indira Nagar
Yadav left many pertinent instructions with his officials, most importantly that they formulate a micro plan, i.e. map each road, assign pourakarmikas, tipper autos etc., and that these details are to be given to RWAs/residents so that effective monitoring and fixing of responsibility takes place.
Other important issues that were discussed include:
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The BBMP themselves are not implementing segregation – the gross violations are being carried out by their employees (pourakarmikas, tipper autos, compactors and associated staff).
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Fining – for non-implementation of waste segregation rules by BOTH households and commercial establishments.
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Moving collection of garbage from all of 100 feet road/80 feet road/CMH Road to an empanelled collector like MSGP or another. This is a pilot project to ensure that BBMP/contractor has no access to the numerous restaurants etc, which fill up their vehicles with waste, leaving less space for household collection.
Another important fact that emerged—one that we already knew—and came to the attention of Yadav was that our local BBMP officials are unprepared, in terms having data about ward details like number of households, pourakarmikas required, unauthorised officials operating, etc.
Yadav showed us a folder of all notices, issued almost weekly, toward a more efficient garbage collection and disposal system. Our officials had no clue!
I am sure I speak for all when I say we were impressed with Yadav’s knowledge and planning, and most inspiring of all, his belief that there is hope. If only we segregate and follow guidelines…
Now I’m sure there will be detractors, however, I wish him well in his endeavours with the garbage crisis Bengaluru is facing – a crisis of our own making, and it is we Bangaloreans who have to solve the mess.