Bangalore generates 2500 tonnes of solid waste every day, and this waste is often disposed off in a very unscientific manner. And this worsens the situation in the polluted 'garden city'.
Once upon a time, walkers in the famous Cubbon Park and Lal Bagh used to enjoy the fresh air during their walks. Today, a majority of them are forced to wear pollution masks during their morning and evening walks.
Rapid industrialisation and a surge in the number of vehicles have made this once beautiful city explode into metropolitan nightmare. Bengaluru is no longer the namma Bengaluru that it used to be.
Thanks to the unscientific disposal of waste, pollution levels have risen to unprecedented levels in Bangalore.
Experts point out that apart from the industrial and vehicular pollution, the waste disposal management by hospitals too is in a pitiable condition. The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board has found that several industries and hospitals do not have a proper solid waste management system.
So how do these industries and hospitals get rid of their waste? They dump hazardous waste into landfill sites and even water bodies. Incidentally, India generates 1.2 million tonnes of solid waste everyday, of which only 60 per cent is recycled.
Apart from the pollution caused by industries, the rising levels of vehicular pollution is also a cause of concern in Bangalore. Currently, 26 lakh vehicles ply on the narrow roads of Bangalore; 21 lakh are two and three wheelers while the rest are four wheelers.
Today, in namma Bengaluru, air and water pollution levels are at an all time high. There is no denying the fact that Bangalore has made its mark on the world map thanks to the software boom. However, this has come at a high price.