Mysuru: Intensifying their protest against Excel Solid Waste Management Plant or Sewage Farm at Vidyaranyapuram, over 500 residents of Vidyaranyapuram, J.P. Nagar, Kanakagiri, Gundu Rao Nagar, Vishveshwaranagar and surrounding areas, led by former Minister S.A. Ramdas, began indefinite strike this morning. As part of the protest, over 15 trucks transporting garbage to the Treatment Plant were stopped as early as 5 am today. Almost all the protesters were wearing masks to avoid stench. Tight Police security was provided by K.R. Police led by Assistant Commissioner Dharmappa and four Inspectors. As the protests began, officials from the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) led by Health Officer Nagaraj objected to the entry of vehicles inside the treatment plant and he ordered the gates of the plant to be closed. A verbal duel broke out between the protesters and the MCC officers who were blocking the way. The protesters wanted to plant saplings inside the plant. The air was, however, cleared after the intervention of MCC Commissioner G. Jagadeesha. Later, the protesters planted a couple of saplings inside the compound. Shouting slogans “Expel Excel”, the protesters, including schoolchildren, demanded a permanent solution the problem. Unbearable stink emanating from the solid waste management plant is proving to be a health hazard and the residents have been suffering from different ailments like nausea, headache and asthma. They said that they have not even opened windows of their houses from many days due to foul smell. Addressing the gathering, Ramdas said that the Sewage Farm can process 160 tonnes of solid waste per day while the daily generation of the garbage is around 450 tonnes. The excess garbage accumulated at the landfill is estimated at 14 lakh tonne and this is the cause for foul.
