After two accidents, BBMP makes fitness certificate mandatory for garbage compactors

By Y Maheswara Reddy | NT

Bengaluru: After a woman was fatally run over by a garbage truck, BBMP Chief Commissioner Gaurav Gupta has issued an order making fitness certificates mandatory for these vehicles. It may be recalled that the Chief Commissioner had issued similar orders to fill up potholes whenever a two-wheeler rider or pedestrian dies due to potholes.

“It is unfortunate a woman was killed in a road accident involving a garbage compactor at Nayandahalli Junction on Monday night. I have directed BBMP officials to inspect all the compactors whether these vehicles have fitness certificates. I have also directed the BBMP officials to insist garbage contractors engage senior drivers for garbage compactors,” said BBMP Chief Commissioner Gaurav Gupta.

A 40-year-old woman died on the spot after a garbage compactor ran over her at Nayandahalli Junction on Mysuru Road. The police have identified the deceased as Padma, a resident of Raja Rajeshwari Nagar. It is the second road accident within 27 days.

Earlier, a 14-year-old girl was killed when a garbage compactor mowed her down while she was crossing the road along with her schoolmates on Ballari Road near Hebbal Police Station. They were compelled to cross the road as the pedestrian subway was filled with rain water. 

There are around 400 garbage compactors and around 8,000 auto tippers in the city. They collect garbage from auto tippers at garbage collection points and transport them to the designated landfills and waste management units on the city outskirts.

On Tuesday, this correspondent noticed a stationary garbage compactor near Halasuru Road Junction. It is said the vehicle broke down on Tuesday morning. Two mechanics were attending the vehicle that was parked near the junction causing much inconvenience for the motorists proceeding towards Halasuru Lake and other areas from Swami Vivekananda Road and MG Road. “It is a 2013 model. We do not know whether its owner obtained the fitness certificate for this vehicle,” said one of the mechanics repairing the vehicle. The BBMP pays Rs 47 crore to garbage contractors per month for transporting garbage to the designated landfills and waste management units.

Meanwhile, BBMP Garbage Contractors’ Association President S.N. Balasubramanian has said that a fitness certificate is mandatory for all garbage compactors and it is being renewed on yearly-basis. “I am not supporting garbage compactor vehicles drivers who are involved in road accidents but I am against targeting garbage compactor vehicles drivers. In recent times, two garbage compactors have been involved in road accidents but many other vehicles are involved in road accidents on a daily basis,” said Balasubramanian.

Meanwhile, Byatarayanapura police have arrested the garbage compactor driver and are investigating the case.