MCC plans C&D waste unit at Pachanady

Mangaluru: Even as dumping of construction and demolition (C&D) waste in vacant places and by the side of rivers in the city continues rampantly, Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) mulls reserving land at Pachanady to manage C&D waste scientifically.To prevent violations, the MCC has held several meetings and decided to manage C&D waste at Pachanady dump yard premises. Builders will have to pay C&D waste management charge to use the facility. Further, the MCC has also decided to take stringent measures to prevent dumping of C&D waste in public places through hefty penalties.DC Darshan HV, who is also the administrator of MCC, said that the city corporation has held meetings with the builders association, including the CREDAI, about the management of C&D waste. "It has been brought to the notice of the city corporation that waste is being dumped by the side of Nethravati and Gurupur rivers. Some trucks also have been dumping waste in rural areas," the DC said.Builders have been blaming contractors, who were paid to transport C&D waste from construction sites, for the violation, he said. "Builders say that contractors agree to transport C&D waste to cement factories and various other recycling purposes. However, those contractors are not adhering to the agreement. However, we have directed builders to ensure that the C&D waste is not dumped in public places or by river side," the DC said.The city corporation has plans to reserve land at the waste dumping yard at Pachanady exclusively for C&D waste management. Builders may transport the waste to the facility after paying a fixed amount to the city corporation. Meanwhile, the city corporation has also decided to impose heavy penalties on trucks that dump waste in public places and near rivers, he added.It may be recalled that the MCC has prepared an action plan to install high-resolution CCTV cameras at identified locations to track waste dumping, traffic management and safety. The city corporation has earmarked Rs 2 crore for the purpose in its 2026-27 budget.