Kinnigoli: Residents of Kinnigoli staged a protest outside the town panchayat office on Wednesday, demanding the immediate closure of a newly constructed wet-waste dump yard at Mennabettu, citing concerns over public health, groundwater contamination and the absence of public consultation before the facility was established.
The protesters submitted a memorandum to town panchayat officials, raising objections to the location of the facility and questioning the procedure followed in granting permission for its establishment.
The demonstration brought together local residents and community representatives, who expressed concern that the waste facility could affect nearby homes, religious institutions, educational establishments, agricultural land and local water sources.
Shalet Pinto questions lack of public consultation
Addressing the protesters, Shalet Pinto, chairperson of the Karnataka Ecotourism Development Board, criticised the authorities for allegedly establishing the dump yard without consulting local residents or public representatives.
Pinto said the facility was situated close to a temple, a Daivasthana, an educational institution and several residential areas. She also pointed to the area’s susceptibility to heavy rainwater runoff, raising concerns about the possible spread of waste during the monsoon.
She questioned how administrative officials could approve a waste facility in a residential neighbourhood without adequate public consultation and due diligence, particularly when an elected local governing body was not in place.
Pinto warned that the issue could lead to widespread public agitation if the facility was not closed immediately. She maintained that residents and public representatives should have been taken into confidence before a decision affecting the neighbourhood was implemented.
Anti-Dump Yard Committee flags health and environmental risks
Sandeep Shetty, president of the Anti-Dump Yard Committee, said the facility had begun operating abruptly near Kinnigoli junction and alleged that residents were already experiencing problems due to foul odours and unhygienic conditions.
According to Shetty, the dump yard is located near a church, a mosque, a temple, a school and a public bus stop. He claimed that nearly 400 families living in the surrounding area could be affected by its operations.
Shetty expressed particular concern about the possible impact on groundwater, alleging that leachate and untreated wastewater could seep into the ground and contaminate private wells and borewells used by residents for drinking water.
He also warned that rainwater runoff could carry waste into surrounding areas, potentially affecting farmland and agricultural activities.
The committee demanded immediate action to address the concerns and close the facility. Shetty said the protest was peaceful but warned that the agitation would be intensified if the residents’ demands were ignored.
The concerns raised by the protesters centre on the potential consequences of operating a waste-processing facility close to homes and community infrastructure. The extent of any groundwater contamination or other environmental impact was not independently established in the information provided.
Residents allege procedural lapses
Local resident Deepak Rodrigues also criticised the administration, alleging that officials had cleared and operationalised the facility without adequate consultation with the community.
Rodrigues said residents had not received prior notice and that a Grama Sabha had not been convened to seek public opinion on the proposal. He demanded accountability from the officials responsible for the decision.
The protesters argued that advance consultation was necessary given the facility’s proximity to residential areas and public amenities. They maintained that residents should have had an opportunity to raise concerns about the location, environmental safeguards and possible effects on their daily lives before operations began.
The objections also highlighted the need for authorities to clarify the approval process followed for the project and the safeguards in place to prevent odour, wastewater leakage and contamination of local water sources.
Community leaders join demonstration
Several community representatives addressed the gathering and expressed solidarity with the residents’ demands. Those who spoke included Robert Rosario, Sudhakar and Hemacharya.
The demonstration was led by town panchayat members Sunitha Rodrigues, Kokila and Santan D’Souza, along with local residents Dinesh Acharya, Harish, Santhosh Acharya, Rajan D’Costa, Hilda D’Souza and Shayan Kumar.
The protesters called for the immediate closure of the dump yard and urged the authorities to address their concerns regarding public health, environmental protection and the process through which the facility was approved.
The demonstration concluded with a vote of thanks by Prakash Acharya.
The town panchayat’s response to the allegations and the protesters’ demands was not included in the information available. The residents are seeking immediate intervention from the authorities, particularly over the facility’s location and the potential risks to nearby households and water sources.