HASSAN: After several unsuccessful attempts to make waste segregation mandatory in the city, Hassan City Municipal Council has decided to penalise those failing to separate dry and waste before the garbage collectors pick it up.
Even as the decision is laudable, around 60,000 ton of waste continues to be left unprocessed at Agile dump yard, the designated place to dump waste generated under the CMC limits.
The dump yard is about 12 km from city and is spread on 22 acres of land. The yard receives close to 70 ton waste every day, but since 2005, when the local body started dumping waste in the yard, no processing has been taken up to generate manure or to clear the stock.
“Delay in appointment of president and vice president to the local body has not affected us. The administration is not disturbed as we are working under DC R Girish’s directions. The tendering process to select a waste processing company is going on. The selected company will initially process 100 ton per daily and then gradually increase the capacity on daily basis. Samples are being sent to the agriculture department to figure out the quantity of manure that will generated out of 60,000 ton waste. Additionally, from February end, we will start charging a fine of Rs 50 if people fail to segregate waste at their home,” said CMC Commissioner Krishnamurty.
“The dump yard is located at a higher altitude. Since 2005, the ground water is being contaminated due to this problem. The flooring is not done here — only a concrete wall is erected to mark its boundary. The daily jobs of villagers like washing clothes in pond, taking livestock near pond and farming activities are badly hit here. The area has become a breeding ground for dogs, mosquitoes and other insects. Including Jakkanahalli Koppal village, which is just about 150 meter away from the dump yard, there are about eight villages which are worst hit by the foul smell. The reason for this spot being neglected is that the dump yard area belongs to Sakleshpur constituency. The front portion of the yard belongs to Holenarsipur constituency,” said Yogesh, a resident of Agile village.
In the recent progress review meeting, DC R Girish directed the CMC authorities to create awareness among public to separate dry and wet waste at home before launching the drive to penalise them.