Mavallipura may bear the brunt again as Mandur deadline nears

All the deaths were attributed to the mismanagement of the landfill. Following strident protests, the KSPCB intervened and ordered the closure of the landfill, putting an end to all the activities at Mavallipura landfill.

Now, the BBMP, which is scrambling for solutions before the deadline given to it by Mandur villagers, is venturing to restart the garbage processing plant at the landfill. According to a BBMP official, the civic agency has written to the KSPCB seeking its permission to reopen the processing plant. The plant is expected to be functional in the next one week.

He said, “The 46-acre landfill site has a composting plant that converts biodegradable waste into some 25 metric tonnes of compost per day. When the plant was operational, this used to be sold. For the last two years, it has been shut down. Acting on the instructions of the High Court, we have written to the KSPCB seeking its permission to re-start the processing unit.”

The BBMP has entered into an agreement with Ramky Infrastructure Pvt Ltd., the agency which will maintain the processing plant. Nearly 600 tonnes of segregated waste from Yelahanka West and other zones are expected to be processed at the unit. The waste-to-compost unit has a capacity to treat 1,000 tonnes of waste, the official added.

When asked if the Mavallipura villagers had agreed to allow the BBMP to restart activities at the landfill site, the official revealed that the BBMP hoped there would be no disruptions as there were not many solutions available. “Protection will be taken if necessary,” he said.

The villagers, earlier, had urged the BBMP to implement the suggestions made by the KSPCB in a comprehensive report on scientific management of the landfill.