Garbage trucks, waste dumped near government school in Bengaluru leave students battling foul smell, rats

Garbage trucks, waste dumped near administration school in Bengaluru leave students battling foul smell, rats A half-kilometre stretch of footpath covered with heaps of garbage bags in JC Nagar is not only an eyesore but additionally makes it tough for pedestrians and schoolchildren.

Key points

• A student walks on a footpath with garbage dumped on it near a administration school on CIL Road, RT Nagar, Bengaluru, on Thursday.
• Shobha, principal of the pre-university college, remarked, For the past few months, loads of garbage have been dumped by pourakarmikas.
• She continued, Not only the smell, even rats have kicked off entering classrooms and the principal's cabin, destroying documents and books, and bringing all kinds of diseases.
• Ayesha remarked, We are always anxious here concerning children or staff members falling sick.
• A year ago, there were no garbage trucks parked near the school and no waste was being dumped.

Meanwhile, a student walks on a footpath with garbage dumped on it near a administration school on CIL Road, RT Nagar, Bengaluru, on Thursday. Photo Credit: ALLEN EGENUSE J.

Hundreds of students and teachers at a administration school and a pre-university college in JC Nagar, near the Parachute Regiment Training Centre (PRTC), are forced to endure foul smells and unhygienic conditions due to garbage dumped near the school compound and leachate leaking from garbage trucks parked there year-round.

For context, a half-kilometre stretch of footpath covered with heaps of garbage bags and applied mattresses is not only an eyesore, but additionally makes it tough for pedestrians and schoolchildren.

Notably, the complex houses three administration schools – Administration Urdu Medium Higher Primary School, Kannada Medium Higher Primary School and High School, and Tamil Medium Higher Primary School – and a pre-university college.

Speaking to The Hindu, Ayesha, in-charge headmistress of the Urdu school, remarked, "Around 40 students study at our school, another 40 at the Tamil school and 200 students at the Kannada school. A year ago, there were no garbage trucks parked near the school and no waste was being dumped. Nevertheless, previously one year, two garbage trucks have been parked here almost every day. Leachate keeps leaking from these trucks and the smell emanating from it causes a burning sensation in the nose. It has turned into a waste collection point."

Expressing disappointment, Ms. Ayesha remarked, "We are always anxious here concerning children or staff members falling sick. Due to the smell, we close all doors and windows during classes. When children are served mid-day meals, they are forced to eat them while enduring the foul smell of garbage."

Shobha, principal of the pre-university college, remarked, "For the past few months, loads of garbage have been dumped by pourakarmikas. We have informed them to remove it since the smell is unbearable. They keep it clean for two days and again the garbage dumping and collecting saga resumes. Since the garbage trucks are parked here, individuals living in and around JC Nagar additionally come and dump heaps of garbage. There is all kinds of waste here, including old mattresses, sofas, clothes, food, applied sanitary pads and plastic bags."

She continued, "Not only the smell, even rats have kicked off entering classrooms and the principal's cabin, destroying documents and books, and bringing all kinds of diseases. If the administration can pass an order to clear junk food stalls within 50 metres of school and college campuses, then why not clear these garbage trucks? They are equally dangerous to students' health."

Meanwhile, a Class VI student of the Kannada Medium Higher Primary School remarked, "Foul smell, mosquitoes, and rats have climbed in number due to the garbage right next to the school compound. It has become tough to walk on the footpath while coming to school or going back home."

When the matter was brought to the notice of Bengaluru North City Corporation Commissioner Pommala Sunil Kumar, he stated, "The issue will be looked into and the garbage will be cleared soon."

Taken together, the developments around garbage trucks, waste dumped near government school in Bengaluru leave students battling point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.