Stinking zone in Bengaluru: Kadirenahalli chokes as garbage dumps defy civic efforts

Bengaluru: Garbage issues continue to plague Kadirenahalli in south Bengaluru's Banashankari, inconveniencing residents and road users. The stretch of the Outer Ring Road from the Geological Survey of India building to Kadirenahalli Park is dotted with black spots on both sides.The green nets installed by the Bengaluru South city corporation have failed to deter litterbugs from disposing of garbage and debris recklessly along the roads, especially at Kadirenahalli Cross. Footpaths along the long stretches of compound walls on either side of the Kadirenahalli underpass have garbage strewn at various locations, making it impossible for pedestrians to walk on the footpaths.
Black spots can be seen at regular intervals until Devegowda petrol bunk. A pharmacist at a local hospital near Kadirenahalli Park told TOI, "We complained, but the problem persists. Patients coming to our hospital are also inconvenienced because of this."The ‘Kasa Kiosk' collection centre opened around one month ago in front of Kadirenahalli park, but locals complain it is overflowing. "We are affected by the smell from the kiosk, which remains shut for most of the day," he added. The Kasa Kiosk at Kadirenahalli opens for 4 hours each in the morning and evening. Chandana, who works at a medical and surgical equipment store, complained of a mosquito menace. "We keep our store doors closed but still suffer from mosquito bites. Our customers also complain the surroundings are unclean," she said. She said civic workers clear some of the garbage every morning, but it accumulates soon. "Many residents, especially those living in paying guest accommodation, do not segregate their domestic waste. They dump it here from their vehicles. Installing bins here might help transfer the garbage every day in an efficient manner," she added. Naveen Kumar, who runs an automobile spares store at Kadirenahalli Cross, cited a lack of coordination among civic workers. "Pourakarmikas who sweep the roads say it is not their responsibility to clear garbage dumped here. The entire stretch is now filled with black spots," he said.The stretch was part of the Banashankari Temple and Kumaraswamy Layout wards under the erstwhile BBMP. Under the Bengaluru South Corporation, the stretch occurs at the boundaries of Yarab Nagar, Kadirenahalli and Gowdana Palya wards. The entire stretch is part of the Padmanabhanagar assembly constituency.