Bengaluru: Amid reports that Biocon was dumping hazardous waste at Terra Firma landfill near Doddabelavangala on the outskirts of the city, the KSPCB said that the biotech giant has promised the board that it would set up its own plant to process waste.
KSPCB senior environment officer Lingaraju told Deccan Chronicle that Biocon has committed to set up the processing unit within four months. “The company generates around 80 tonnes of waste at its Biocon Park in Electronics City and its plant in Hebbagodi generates around five tonnes waste. The cell mass, a waste generated by ingredients, is not chemical waste. It’s not hazardous. However, it’s getting mixed with solid waste,” he said. A KSPCB committee recently visited both Biocon plants and had instructed the company to comply with the rules, he said.
Following protests by villagers over the past few days, the police had registered FIRs against Biocon, Terra Firma and owners of the trucks for dumping waste at the landfill. The villagers complained that the cell mass emanated pungent smell and affected hundreds of them.
BBMP engineers, meanwhile, expressed concern that such incidents would provoke villagers to prevent even BBMP trucks from carrying garbage.
“Villagers are unwilling to take any chance, though BBMP trucks don’t carry any chemical or industrial waste. Such incidents trigger anger among villagers and they refuse to allow BBMP trucks under the pretext that other waste could get mixed with solid waste,” said a senior BBMP solid waste management engineer.
He said that the situation is under control at the landfills now and the BBMP is taking precaution not to mix other waste.
