Bengaluru: Space between Metro piers now dump zones

Bengaluru: A major stretch of road near Yelachenahalli in Bengaluru South has turned into a black spot with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) converting the space between Metro Rail piers into a garbage dump yard, posing a serious health hazard to residents nearby. 

Though the space between Metro pillars 82 and 90 on the National Highway 209 is not a designated garbage transit point, it has been turned into the dumping spot for the Palike.

Ironically, the BBMP map of 2004 describes the spot as Yelechenahalli Lake which, the residents said, was encroached and converted into a private property. But the bigger problem now is the garbage and Palike’s indifference has appalled the residents.

“We have spoken to the corporators of Wards 185 and 186 several times. But each time, they pass the buck to the other, and we ultimately end up without any solution. It has been continuing for the past two years,” said Mr Aleem, a resident.

He said that meat shops nearby only add to the problem. These shops throw meat waste at the spot in the night, contributing to the unbearable stench.
Residents of HM Tambourine protested against the menace in April. Over the next few days, to their shock, a garbage collector stumbled upon a body in the garbage pile.

“The Additional Commissioner of BBMP had promised to get the area cleaned up but the owner of the private property said that he himself would get it done. The NGO, ‘Let’s Be the Change’, cleaned the spot and painted the walls, but the next morning it was back to square one,” he said.

The residents said that they also see garbage being burnt at the spot, though young children board their buses from there, and people take autos and BMTC buses from the the spot. Despite repeated attempts, BBMP officials concerned could not be contacted.