Bengaluru: Residents living near Banaswadi railway station have raised serious concerns over an unattended stretch of railway-owned land that has turned into an illegal dumping ground, with frequent garbage fires posing a threat to lives and property.
Locals allege that the vacant land beside the railway station has been used for indiscriminate dumping of household waste, construction debris, and other refuse for several months. The situation has worsened as unidentified miscreants reportedly set the accumulated garbage on fire every other day, filling the neighbourhood with thick smoke and toxic fumes.
Residents say the recurring fires have made life miserable, particularly for children, senior citizens, and those suffering from respiratory ailments. They also fear that the flames could spread to nearby homes, vegetation, or railway infrastructure, potentially leading to a major accident.
According to the residents, repeated complaints to the concerned authorities have yielded little result, with the dumping and burning continuing unabated. They have urged the Railways, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), and other civic agencies to immediately clear the waste, fence the land, and increase surveillance to prevent further illegal dumping.
Residents demand urgent action
The affected families have called for coordinated action by the Railways and civic authorities to remove the accumulated garbage, identify those responsible for dumping and burning waste, and implement long-term measures to prevent the land from becoming a dumping site again.
Environmental experts warn that open burning of waste releases hazardous pollutants, posing serious health risks while also increasing the danger of accidental fires during dry and windy conditions.