"Can't Breathe": Actor Says Garbage Being Burnt Near Her Bengaluru Home

Kannada actor Aindrita Ray has flagged the alleged negligence of civic authorities after discovering that household garbage was being openly burnt in an area close to residential buildings in Bengaluru, an act she said left her struggling to breathe for several days.

The actor said she had been experiencing severe respiratory discomfort due to thick smoke entering her home continuously, prompting her to step out and trace the source of the pollution.

Aindrita, who lives in the Ideal Homes area of RR Nagar, said she suffered persistent congestion and breathing difficulties as her house was filled with smoke carrying the stench of burning plastic and other waste.

After enduring the discomfort for nearly three days, she said she decided to investigate the cause herself and found piles of garbage being set on fire in an open ground located close to residential areas.

The actor recorded a video from the spot, showing the garbage burning in the open.

Sharing the video on social media platform Instagram on Thursday, Aindrita said, "I have been suffering for three days. I had severe congestion and can't breathe properly."

"There was a constant smell of plastic and other waste being burnt. I live in Ideal Homes, RR Nagar. Today I couldn't bear it anymore, so I decided to find out what it was - and this is what I saw."

The video showed piles of trash burning right next to houses, sending thick clouds of smoke into the air.

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A post shared by Aindrita Ray (@aindrita_ray)

Speaking to NDTV, the actor said the issue had persisted for three days, during which she experienced worsening respiratory distress. She said the constant smell of burning plastic and waste led to heaviness in her chest.

"This has been going on for three days. I've been smelling the plastic waste, like burning smells. I just had to go check it out because the heaviness on my chest got worse. I just couldn't take the smell anymore. And I was astonished to see such huge piles of garbage being burnt very close to my house," she said.

Aindrita said despite residents following waste segregation norms, garbage was still being set on fire. "I'm doing my waste segregation properly - wet waste and dry waste. So why is this even happening? I'm really suffering," she said.

Describing the impact on her health, the actor said the condition became so severe that she feared she might need hospitalisation. "Last night, I thought I might have to be hospitalised. I had to leave my house and come to my parents' place. But I'm still not too good," she told NDTV.

She added, "My dad is a doctor, so he gave me some medication. I took some steam last night. But if I don't get any better today, I might actually head to the hospital."

The actor also said attempts to reach the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) helpline yielded no response. "I did try to call the BBMP number, but there was no response. As you can see in the video, I tried a couple of times," she said.

She expressed concern for residents with respiratory conditions, including asthma. "There were two more piles ready to be set off, which is very concerning. People with respiratory problems and who are sensitive - I'm sure they're facing the same issue as me," she said.

Emphasising that residents were complying with waste management rules, the actor said, "I think we all do our waste management everywhere. In my parents' apartment, in my area, in Ideal Homes, everyone does waste segregation properly. I know my neighbours do it."

Her concern came nearly a month after the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) had announced a new initiative to curb littering. The GBA had planned a special drive where they were going to pay people who recorded and shared videos of 'litter bugs', people who dumped garbage on streets.

The Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) had said it would give a reward of Rs 250 to those who share the video.