Bengaluru: Civic problems plaguing the city for years could soon be a thing of the past with the Karnataka government today saying it would make the metropolis plastic free and take steps on a 'war footing' to protect lakes from pollution. Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwar said the government would take effective and strict measures to make Bengaluru free from plastic.
Parameshwara, who is Minister in-charge for city related subjects, also said work would be taken up on a "war footing" to protect city lakes from pollution.
"Legislators suggested a plastic ban in Bengaluru and efforts are on. All effective and strict measures will be taken to make city plastic free," he said.
The Deputy CM today chaired a six-hour-long meeting with MLAs and Parliamentarians of Bengaluru, along with officers, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, to discuss and take suggestions on city issues.
He noted that most lakes in Bengaluru were being polluted, a few are "irreparable" and others in the early stages of pollution. "Again, work is taking place on a war footing to protect lakes and clean the polluted ones," he said. The meeting discussed garbage clearance and a proposal to convert waste to energy, among a wide range of adminstrative issues. "There is a proposal for two waste-to-energy units. I will soon clear it on behalf of the government. At a later stage it will replace all six garbage processing units and will help solve the garbage issue.”
Also discussed was flooding during rainy seasons and measures to be taken in this regard to find a permanent solution, he said.
Potholes and damaged roads need to be fixed permanently and chief engineers of eight zones of BBMP will be made responsible for this.
Also discussed was traffic management and coordination between BBMP and traffic police, along parking regulations in the CBD.
The Deputy CM said issues related to Cauvery water supply to Bengaluru city was also mentioned. "The quantum of Cauvery water which we are allowed to use, we have almost reached," he said. The minister said the fifth stage of supplying Cauvery water has to be taken up and alternatives like redirecting water from Yettinahole and impounding it to Tippagondanahalli reservoir that used to supply water to Bengaluru city are also being thought of, he said.
Dr Parameshwar said there was also a plan to bring water from Linganamakkito Bengaluru and technical experts had been asked to come out with a draft project report. "A feasibility study has to be made... it is still in a conceptual stage," he added. Parameshwara said he has also cleared BBMP's budget of '10,000 crore for this year.
He pointed out that 110 villages were was brought under BBMP limits, but not enough development work has happened there and added that a "special package" would be unveiled for the development of these villages.
