BENGALURU: With an intention to put a full stop to dumping of garbage and construction debris on empty plots, lakes and storm water drains (SWDs), city Mayor Sampath Raj held a meeting with officials and experts to discuss the issue.
Later it was decided that a hefty fine of Rs 5 lakh will be slapped on those who dump wastes in lakes and SWDs and Rs 1 lakh fine for those found littering garbage in empty plots and public places.
Sampath Raj told Deccan Chronicle, “I have been repeatedly getting complaints on garbage and construction debris being illegally dumped into lakes and SWDs. Even during my inspection I have found instances where garbage strewn on footpaths."
After the meeting with resident welfare associations, NGOs and experts, we have decided to slap '5 lakh fine on those found dumping garbage into lakes and SWDs and '1 lakh on the those illegally dumping it on empty sites, footpaths and other places, he said.
The Mayor lamented that out of 300 tonnes of construction waste, only 30 per cent is reaching the designated quarries, while the rest are being dumped illegally across the city. However, he was confident that after the new rule is imposed after getting sanction from the council, it will instill fear among the offenders and curb littering.
Any citizen can alert BBMP and expose the offenders be it bulk generator or small ones. In addition BBMP will use CCTV camera footage to nail the offenders. These cameras will be installed in every ward at a cost of '10 lakh.
Expert sceptical
While this is seen a good move, I doubt how this will be implemented and monitored as BBMP should not end up slapping fine on the innocent, said D.S. Rajashekar, President, Citizens’ Action Forum.
He further added that slapping hefty fine is good, but he wondered how such a huge amount can be recovered from the
offenders.
