Mysuru: District Minister Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah has pulled up officials over the illegal dumping of garbage along Lalithadripura Road at the foot of Chamundi Hill, directing authorities to clear the accumulated waste and take steps to prevent further dumping.
During his visit to the site on September 5, the Minister questioned officials from the Rammanahalli Town Panchayat and Alanahalli Gram Panchayat over how the stretch had been allowed to turn into a dumping ground. The area is part of a green zone developed by the Mysuru Development Authority (MDA) near the foothills of Chamundi Hill.
The issue has also been raised by local residents and activist Ahinda Javarappa, who reportedly submitted more than 40 petitions to local authorities over the continuing accumulation of garbage in the area.
Minister orders immediate garbage clearance
During his inspection, Yathindra Siddaramaiah walked along the stretch where garbage had accumulated on both sides of the road and expressed concern over the condition of the area.
The Minister directed the Mysuru Development Authority to undertake a complete one-time clearance of the accumulated garbage from the site.
He also instructed the Tahsildar to immediately identify suitable government land for establishing a scientific Waste Segregation and Management Plant for Alanahalli Gram Panchayat.
The direction follows an explanation from Mysuru City Corporation officials that Alanahalli Gram Panchayat had been dumping solid waste at the location because it did not have its own waste-processing facility.
Yathindra Siddaramaiah warned officials of strict action if the issue was not resolved at the earliest.
CCTV cameras to monitor illegal dumping
The Minister also announced plans to strengthen surveillance at the dumping site.
CCTV cameras will be installed to identify people who illegally dump waste at the location. Authorities will use the surveillance to impose heavy fines on those found violating waste-disposal rules, according to the report.
Once the accumulated garbage is removed, the area will be beautified through tree planting. The move is intended to discourage people from using the stretch as an informal dumping ground again.
The proposed surveillance and beautification measures are expected to address both the immediate waste problem and the recurring issue of illegal dumping.
Rammanahalli Panchayat clarifies waste disposal system
Representatives of the Rammanahalli Town Panchayat also provided an explanation during the Minister’s visit.
They clarified that waste generated within the town panchayat is segregated and handed over directly to the Mysuru City Corporation under an existing agreement.
The clarification came after the Minister questioned the local authorities over the condition of the road and the accumulation of waste along the stretch.
The focus now appears to be on establishing a coordinated waste-management system for local bodies located around Mysuru’s municipal limits, particularly those along major entry points into the city.
Scientific waste management plant planned
One of the key directions issued during the inspection was the identification of government land for a scientific waste segregation and management plant for Alanahalli Gram Panchayat.
The lack of a waste-processing facility was cited by MCC officials as a reason for the dumping of solid waste at the Lalithadripura Road site.
A dedicated facility would allow waste generated in the area to be processed scientifically instead of being transported to unauthorised dumping locations.
The Minister has therefore asked the Tahsildar to identify government land at the earliest so that a long-term solution can be developed.
Meeting of local bodies planned
Yathindra Siddaramaiah also said a meeting involving Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) adjoining the MCC limits would be convened shortly.
The proposed meeting is expected to focus on developing uniform and scientific waste-management practices along major entry points to Mysuru.
The move is significant because waste generated outside the MCC limits can also affect areas within and around the city when disposal systems are inadequate.
A coordinated approach among the different local bodies could help prevent garbage from being shifted from one jurisdiction to another without proper treatment.
Streetlights and police patrolling ordered
The Minister’s inspection also covered public safety concerns at the location.
Responding to concerns about illegal activities in the area and previous crimes reported nearby, Yathindra Siddaramaiah directed authorities to install streetlights along the stretch.
He also asked the police to increase patrolling in the area.
Improved lighting and regular police presence are expected to address safety concerns for residents and people travelling along Lalithadripura Road, apart from helping deter illegal dumping and other activities.
Sewage overflow issue raised
Activists accompanying the inspection also brought another civic issue to the Minister’s attention.
They urged him to address the overflow of underground drainage (UGD) onto the Outer Ring Road. The activists alleged that the sewage was polluting nearby lakes and the Varuna Canal.
The sewage issue was raised separately from the garbage dumping problem and will require attention from the concerned civic agencies.
The concerns highlight the broader environmental and infrastructure challenges around the outskirts of Mysuru, where waste disposal, drainage and public infrastructure are closely connected.
Officials accompany Minister during inspection
Mysuru Taluk Tahsildar Mahesh Kumar, MCC Commissioner M.K. Savitha, MDA In-charge Commissioner B.R. Mahesh and officials from the local Panchayats accompanied Yathindra Siddaramaiah during the inspection.
The Minister’s visit followed reports highlighting the environmental concerns caused by garbage accumulation at the foothills of Chamundi Hill.
The administration will now have to implement the directions on waste clearance, surveillance, scientific waste processing and beautification to ensure that the location does not return to its earlier condition.
Focus shifts to long-term waste management
The garbage dumping site at Lalithadripura Road has become a visible example of the challenges faced when local bodies lack adequate waste-processing infrastructure.
While the immediate priority is to remove the accumulated waste, the proposed waste-management plant and coordination meeting could provide a longer-term solution.
The installation of CCTV cameras, heavy fines and tree planting could further discourage repeated dumping.
For Mysuru, protecting the surroundings of Chamundi Hill is particularly important because the area combines environmental, public-safety and tourism significance. The latest directions indicate that authorities are now seeking to address the dumping problem through both enforcement and improved waste-management infrastructure.