Bangalore:
Over the weekend, the Bangalore city corporation began a clean-up of thousands of tonnes of garbage that had been piling up on the streets - because the authorities simply did not know what to do with it. But it is still a work in progress, as rain adds to the filth on the streets.
The main dump at Mavallipura outside the city - that usually receives the city's waste - is currently closed following protests by villagers living in the area and a closure notice from the state's pollution control board. The Home Minister attempted to order dumping in Mavallipura from last Thursday - but that only triggered fresh protests.
Bangalore generates an estimated 5000 tonnes of garbage every day. Activists have been calling for segregation at source, but it has not happened. Around 40 per cent of the garbage is dry waste that could easily be recycled.
After the waste began piling up, the clean-up finally began under pressure from the public and the media. Even the Karnataka High Court criticised the corporation's functioning following a public interest litigation filed on the garbage issue.
Bangalore's Mayor, Venkatesh Murthy, has promised a clean city soon. "The present problem is that three-four dumping yards are closed. Mavallipura is also closed. Now Terra Firma is opened and Mandur is open. BMTC has given 200 acres for dumping. We will clear it in another three-four days," he told NDTV.
Bangaloreans may just have to hold their breath until then.