Natasha Kalra 
Mr Randeep D, an IAS officer of the 2006 batch, is a Special Commissioner (SWM & AH), and Zonal Commissioner for Mahadevapura, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Bengaluru. With a Bachelors’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Masters’ degree in public policy, Mr Randeep is one of the most sought-after and lauded officers in the BBMP for his unique initiatives in waste management. He has been appreciated for successful initiatives like beautification of garbage black spots, hiring of garbage marshalls and his proposal for GPS enabled auto-tippers in the city. SolidWasteIndia’s Natasha Kalra spoke with Mr Randeep on managing waste in pandemic times and other relevant issues in BBMP.
Q1. How has the COVID pandemic affected waste management in the city?
The quantum of the waste generated in the city had reduced during the lockdown since commercial establishments were closed. However, we have now noticed an increase in waste generation, since commercial establishments have reopened.
During the lockdown, it was also noticed that segregation at source was severely affected as households started mixing waste – especially COVID waste like disposable gloves and masks – into their dry waste.
Q2. What has been the proportion of bio-hazardous waste (specifically COVID waste) in the city during the pandemic? What measures are being taken by BBMP to handle the COVID waste?
The proportion has definitely increased as the COVID waste has to be incinerated as well. Five vendors have been chosen by the BBMP specifically to handle this waste which is sent for incineration.
Households with active COVID patients are identified by BBMP and the list is provided to the AEE (Assistant Executive Engineer) and waste collectors in the field. A separate auto-tipper for collection of COVID waste has been allotted for these houses. The waste collectors have been provided with Personal Protective Equipment including masks, gloves and face shields.
Also, some of our Pourakarmikas (PKs) who were diagnosed COVID positive have been shifted to proper health care units. We have organized workshops to train PKs on personal hygiene and safety during the pandemic. We have also been conducting antigen tests for the safety of our PKs who are serving the city in these crucial times.
Q3. Around five Waste-to-Energy plants have been proposed by the BBMP. These are being opposed by citizens and activists. How is the BBMP responding?
Yes, there have been protests against the WtE plants. Many people probably think that mixed waste will be sent to these plants which, frankly, defeats the purpose of power generation at these units. The fact is, according to the proposed plan, these plants will have in-situ arrangements for segregating waste into wet, recyclable, and non-recyclable dry waste. Composting wet-waste will take place within the premises itself while recyclables will be sent for recycling while non-recyclables will be used as input for the plant.
Q4. Wouldn’t this demotivate households to not segregate their waste?
True – to some extent. But as per bye-laws of BBMP, it is mandatory for citizens to segregate their waste and we will continue to promote and monitor the three category segregation in the city. Also, most of the waste, which will be sent to these plants, will be from black spots or from illegal roadside dumping areas.
Q5. Protestors have raised an issue over the exclusion of scrap dealers, rag-pickers, itinerant buyers etc.., who will lose their livelihood if mixed waste is diverted directly to the WtE plants...
In the past, too, BBMP has made efforts to integrate the rag pickers in the waste management system of the city. Some of the Dry Waste Collection Centers (DWCCs) presently are being completely operated by rag-pickers through bi-partite/tri-partite agreements. And in the future also we intend to carve a strong and concrete role of informal economy in the formal waste management system of the city.
Also, as mentioned before, we will focus on diverting the waste dumped illegally on roadsides to these plants. DWCCs will continue to operate, supported by the BBMP.
Q6. Recently, the BBMP had announced it would levy a Garbage Tax in the city? What is the status of this? When will it be implemented?
Yes, a garbage tax was announced, which was to be introduced through the SWM bye-laws in the city. However, due to the COVID pandemic it has been put on hold as of now.
