Garbage burning in HSR Layout; marshals swing into action

By Zahid H Javali

This evening, the park’s caretaker set fire to the dry leaves inside Swabhimaana Park in Sector 3, HSR Layout. While he has been doing this every day despite complaints from the residents, today was quite large-scale. Smoke entered the houses of everyone residing near the park. People were seen wearing masks to ward off the smoke.

Residents Watch captured the burning on camera and tweeted to all the BBMP officials. Soon, garbage marshals swung into action, extinguishing the fire, and warning the caretaker who had set fire to the dry leaves.

The BBMP Solid Waste Management Cell also informed Residents Watch that a “formal complaint will be filed with the horticulture section, so that action can be taken on the attender.” If you witness such garbage burning, or garbage dumping and littering, call BBMP at 080-2222-1188 or 080-2297-5595. Or tweet BBMP SWH here.  

Marshals have become a boon to the citizens ever since they were inducted more than three years ago. Here are a few stories in the past that should give you an idea of how they are protecting the environment and safeguarding the health of the residents:

• Rs 22 lakh fines imposed by garbage marshalls in Jan; will collect spot penalties with new machines from today!
• Marshalls allegedly catch culprits behind Bellandur Lake fire
• 8 anti-litter night squads to penalise garbage dumpers and enforce masking and social distancing