Environment Minister Sogadu Shivanna on Monday said the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board has failed to ensure proper maintenance of the Mandur landfill by the Palike.
“The KSPCB did nothing except issuing a notice to the BBMP. Had it taken appropriate action, the landfill would not have been closed now and people would not have faced the problem,” he told reporters.
He said he was shocked to see a mountain of stinking garbage at the landfill. Garbage was recklessly dumped and hardly any step was being taken to dispose of waste.
Two private companies involved in handling the landfill have failed to perform their duties. It would perhaps take about five years to clear the garbage dump there, he stated.
The Board recently ordered closure of the landfill following protests by residents, resulting in garbage piling up in the City.
Shivanna said he has urged the Transport department to take steps to introduce battery-operated autorikshaws in Bangalore to prevent air pollution. “We think it is feasible.
The Transport department should explore all options and try to introduce it in the interest of Bangalore,” he added.