The clean-up follows a recent inspection of the site and a series of reports highlighting the large-scale dumping and frequent burning of waste at the location.

The site, which falls within a green belt and eco-sensitive zone, had reportedly turned into an unofficial dumping ground, causing inconvenience to residents and raising environmental concerns.

Under the current operation, around 100 tonnes of waste will be cleared initially, while the remaining estimated 350 tonnes will be removed subsequently.

MDA pays MCC for waste clearance

As the land falls under the jurisdiction of the MDA, the Authority is required to pay the MCC for removing and disposing of the waste according to civic norms.

The MDA has made an advance payment of around Rs 1.08 lakh to the MCC for clearing the first 100 tonnes, calculated at Rs 1,080 per tonne.

Following the payment, the clearance operation commenced with heavy machinery deployed at the site.

Officials estimate that around 450 tonnes of waste have accumulated at the location over several years. Repeated burning of the garbage has reportedly caused the waste to melt into a foul-smelling mass, making its removal more difficult.

The waste has now been classified as Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste and debris.

Burnt waste to be segregated and transported

According to officials, the mixed and burnt material cannot be sent to cement factories for processing.

The waste is therefore being segregated at the site before being transported for landfilling and levelling purposes.

Two excavators and several tippers have been deployed for the operation. Each loaded vehicle is being weighed at a weighbridge before the material is transported to the Sewage Farm at Vidyaranyapuram.

The weighing process is intended to keep track of the quantity of waste removed during the clearance operation.

District Minister had inspected dumping site

Mysuru District In-charge Minister Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah recently visited the illegal dumping site and questioned officials of the Rammanahalli Town Panchayat and Alanahalli Gram Panchayat over the condition of the area.

The inspection came amid concerns over the prolonged dumping of waste at the site and repeated incidents of the garbage being set on fire.

Following the inspection, MCC Commissioner M.K. Savitha, MDA In-charge Commissioner B.R. Mahesh and officials from the local panchayats assured the public that steps would be taken to clear the accumulated waste within a fixed timeframe.

The authorities have also proposed measures to prevent the site from reverting to a dumping ground after the clean-up.

CCTV cameras and security proposed

MCC Commissioner M.K. Savitha said the clearance operation was being undertaken following directions from the District In-charge Minister.

She appealed to members of the public to cooperate with the authorities and refrain from dumping waste at the location after the clean-up.

Local leader Ahinda Javarappa said removing the accumulated garbage alone would not resolve the problem.

Since the area falls within an eco-sensitive zone, he urged the Alanahalli Gram Panchayat to deploy security personnel and install CCTV cameras at the site.

According to Javarappa, monitoring the location would be necessary to prevent people from returning to the area and dumping waste after the current clearance operation is completed.

Long-standing dumping problem

The garbage accumulation along Lalithadripura Road had reportedly continued for several years, with hundreds of tonnes of waste being dumped at the site.

Frequent fires at the location further worsened the condition, leaving behind a mixture of burnt and decomposed material.

The authorities have now begun removing the accumulated waste, starting with the first 100 tonnes for which the MDA has already paid the MCC.

The remaining estimated 350 tonnes is expected to be cleared subsequently, after which the authorities have indicated plans to secure and beautify the area.

With the location situated near Chamundi Hill and within an eco-sensitive zone, preventing fresh dumping will remain an important part of the effort to ensure that the site does not return to its previous condition.