Bengaluru: Two years ago when Mr. Rajneesh Goel was the BBMP commissioner, the BBMP made waste segregation at source mandatory. However, the initiative failed as enforcement was poor and residents refused to cooperate. With the BBMP now insisting on segregation, there were arguments and tension in Malleshwaram, Rajajinagar, Mahalakshmi layout and surrounding areas as waste collectors refused to collect unsegregated waste as a result of this waste collection process was delayed by nearly three hours.
It all started on Tuesday early morning with pourakarmikas who collect waste from the door step of the residents failing to turn up on time. With strict orders from their higher ups many of them had difficult time with residents over the issue of waste segregation. Residents who were not aware of the strict implementation of the waste segregation at source order, entered into a verbal duel with these pourakarmikas saying they can not segregate waste immediately and hand it over. But pourakarmikas refused to accept the non segregated waste claiming truck drivers would not accept the non segregated waste.
Speaking to this newspaper, a pourakarmika who wished to be anonymous informed that all of them were warned by BBMP officials and contractors against non segregated waste. "Till now, no resident was serious. Even though there was order we were collecting non segregated waste. But we were informed that non segregated waste will not be loaded to trucks from Tuesday onwards. So, we collected only segregated waste," he said.
Another pourakarmika from Rajajinagar informed that he left waste given by many residents for the same reason. "All of us were directed to be careful on this issue. I did not collect non segregated waste given by many residents. They argued saying they can not segregate waste in few minutes. So, I was forced to wait for long in many areas leading to delay in waste collection. Every day, I complete my work by 9.30 am. But today I may work till late afternoon," he said.
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