Will Bangalore garbage raise a stink in Karnataka elections?

Bangalore, April 12: Since last six months, India' IT-hub Bangalore is grappling with

problems. Will garbage cause a stink in the coming Karnataka Assembly Elections 2013 slated on May 5?

Ask the residents of Bangalore and in unison they say "yes".

"Yes, garbage is a big issue in Bangalore. As heaps of garbage pile in the neighbourhood, all we want is a solution from the political leaders. It is a shame that Bangalore authorities have no hold in solving garbage menace in the city," said Uttara CT, a 67-year-old homemaker.

Bangalore generates an estimated 5000 tonnes of garbage every day. Activists have been calling for segregation at source, but it has not happened.

In every Bangalore roads, heaps of garbage greets people. Garbage disposal is a main concern as the villagers of Mandur, the main landfill protested and stopped garbage trucks from entering the village.

Opposition Congress MLA Krishna Byre Gowda said, "A city like Bangalore that aspires for a global role cannot manage its own garbage. It is a severe slap on the face of Bangaloreans."

But, till now no political parties, be it ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or opposition Congress have ensured voters to provide clean and green Bangalore, if they win election.

Karnataka high court recently directed Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to issue licences only to those traders who are capable of managing their own garbage. The division bench directed BBMP to incorporate the condition while issuing licences to traders, thus making it mandatory for traders to manage their own garbage.

The court also directed BBMP to ensure that private residential layouts planned in the future too have adequate provisions within their premises for waste management.

But, the question is, are "vote hungry" politicians ready to listen to the woes of electorates?

OneIndia News