Lokayukta Cracks Down on Bengaluru Garbage Black Spots, Deploys Five Teams Across City Corporations
Bengaluru, June 5: The Karnataka Lokayukta has intensified its scrutiny of waste management practices across Bengaluru after finding that the problem of unscientific garbage disposal and illegal dumping at multiple black spots continues despite repeated directions to civic authorities.
According to an official release, the Lokayukta had earlier taken suo motu cognisance of the issue of improper waste disposal and garbage dumping across the jurisdictions of all five city corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA). Several rounds of hearings were conducted with concerned officials, and multiple directions were issued from time to time to address the problem.
However, despite these efforts, the garbage disposal issue has not been resolved satisfactorily. The Lokayukta has also continued to receive complaints from citizens regarding illegal dumping and unmanaged waste accumulation across Bengaluru.
In response, the Lokayukta constituted five special inspection teams comprising police officers of various ranks, including Superintendents of Police serving in the institution. The teams were instructed to conduct field inspections across all five city corporations and submit detailed reports on the ground situation.
The inspection teams visited the respective city corporations on Thursday and began extensive verification of garbage disposal practices and black spot locations.
Lokayukta Conducts Surprise Inspection
During the inspection drive, the Lokayukta personally visited several locations in the Bengaluru North City Corporation limits, including RT Nagar, Byatarayanapura, Anand Nagar and surrounding areas.
During the visit, nearly six garbage black spots were identified. The Lokayukta immediately directed Bengaluru North City Corporation Joint Commissioner Moin, Executive Engineer Chandrashekar and other officials, along with Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) Chief Operating Officer Karigowda, DGM Ramamani and concerned officers, to clear the identified black spots without delay and submit compliance reports.
Rajakaluve Flooding Issue Raised
The Lokayukta also inspected an area near the Visvesvaraya Nagar Muslim Education Society on 4th Main Road, where residents have reportedly been facing flooding problems during rainfall due to overflowing stormwater drains.
Officials present at the site were instructed to take immediate corrective measures and submit an action-taken report regarding the issue.
Further Action Likely
The inspection teams will continue their field visits across the five city corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority and submit comprehensive reports to the Lokayukta.
Based on the findings, the Lokayukta is expected to implead concerned officials as respondents in the already registered suo motu case and continue the investigation. The institution has also indicated that strict directions will be issued to ensure effective waste management and scientific garbage disposal across Bengaluru.
The latest intervention signals increased pressure on civic authorities as Bengaluru continues to grapple with mounting waste management challenges and citizen complaints over garbage black spots across the city.
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Atul Chaturvedi