In the face of water scarcity and soaring temperatures, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) have ramped up borewell drilling efforts across the city. However, this initiative has led to unintended consequences, with mounds of soil accumulating on roadsides, obstructing traffic, and polluting the air.
Residents from various localities, including Muneshwara Layout in Aavalahalli and Horamavu Agara, have voiced their concerns about the debris left behind by borewell drilling activities. They reported instances of BBMP leaving soil debris on roadsides, necessitating the hiring of tractors to clear the obstruction, incurring additional expenses for residents.
While BBMP officials were unavailable for comment, a BWSSB engineer clarified that the soil debris from borewell drilling is not reused due to its poor quality. Instead, it is left to dry on empty land in the city outskirts. However, concerns have been raised about the lack of record-keeping regarding the disposal of soil debris and sand dust generated during drilling operations.
Questions have also been raised about the disposal of borewell waste by builders. Rajesh Korah, co-owner of a Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste processing unit, highlighted the potential environmental impact of improper disposal, citing National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines. His unit primarily processes construction debris from builders and contractors, segregating it into various components for recycling.
Despite these efforts, Bengaluru continues to grapple with significant amounts of construction waste, producing nearly 3,000 tonnes daily, according to official records. The challenge remains to effectively manage and mitigate the environmental impact of construction and drilling activities in the city.
