The pilot project by The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) to organise 'Community Deepavali' failed to take off this festival season. Authorities, however, are optimistic about next year.
"This year it was more of a request asking people to celebrate together. We did not have sufficient time to plan because there were back-to-back festivals," Sarfaraz Khan, joint commissioner for solid waste management said.
The proposal was for people to come together at playgrounds and open fields to burst crackers as a community. "It is safer than bursting crackers on the road where chances of getting hurt are more. Removing the waste the next morning will also be easier," he said.
This year, the idea was mooted in three areas at Dasarahalli, two areas at Yelahanka, Sadashivnagar and two areas in Bengaluru South.
"I have not got feedback yet. But I believe it was fairly successful in outer zones like Dasarahalli, Bommanahalli and Yelahanka. But in the core BBMP zones, the response was not good," N S Ramakanth, a member of the expert committee on solid waste management, said.
Speaking about the plans for next year, Khan said, "We will discuss it with officials from the Pollution Control Board and come up with a comprehensive plan. Designated spots for every zone will be decided and this information will be publicised. The campaign will begin three to four months in advance for enhanced awareness about the initiative."
"This year, we managed to make Ganesha Chaturthi a success with fewer Plaster of Paris idols. Similarly, we should be able to make Community Deepavali a success with good campaigning," Khan added.
"This year it was more of a request asking people to celebrate together. We did not have sufficient time to plan because there were back-to-back festivals," Sarfaraz Khan, joint commissioner for solid waste management said.
The proposal was for people to come together at playgrounds and open fields to burst crackers as a community. "It is safer than bursting crackers on the road where chances of getting hurt are more. Removing the waste the next morning will also be easier," he said.
This year, the idea was mooted in three areas at Dasarahalli, two areas at Yelahanka, Sadashivnagar and two areas in Bengaluru South.
"I have not got feedback yet. But I believe it was fairly successful in outer zones like Dasarahalli, Bommanahalli and Yelahanka. But in the core BBMP zones, the response was not good," N S Ramakanth, a member of the expert committee on solid waste management, said.
Speaking about the plans for next year, Khan said, "We will discuss it with officials from the Pollution Control Board and come up with a comprehensive plan. Designated spots for every zone will be decided and this information will be publicised. The campaign will begin three to four months in advance for enhanced awareness about the initiative."
"This year, we managed to make Ganesha Chaturthi a success with fewer Plaster of Paris idols. Similarly, we should be able to make Community Deepavali a success with good campaigning," Khan added.