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The nationwide lockdown has affected everyone, right from vegetable vendors, house help to even the sanitary workers in the country. Garbage collection will take a hit in Bangalore as the pourakarmikas or sanitary workers, will only continue to work in the first shift from 6:30 am to 10:30 am, but will not be providing their services in the second shift from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. This change in their work schedules will affect the door to door collection of garbage in the next few days in Bangalore in the backdrop of nationwide lockdown over the spread of COVID-19.
What’s In It?
According to a circular, the civic body withdrew the compulsory biometric attendance for the pourakarmikas whose responsibility entails garbage collection from houses, transporting it to auto tippers and sweeping the streets of Bangalore. The sanitary workers will just be working the first shift from 6:30 to 10:30 in the morning. The officials have stated that these changes have been made keeping the interest of pourakarmikas in mind. The BBMP Commissioner, BH Anil Kumar informed Bangalore Mirror that the work won’t be suspended completely as the city needs to be kept clean. However, pourakarmikas will be given gloves and masks as a way to not put their health at risk.
The Additional Commissioner at Solid Waste Management, Randeep D stated that instructions have been given to sanitary workers in the city to wash and sanitize their hands on a regular basis. If any worker is found to have any symptoms of coronavirus like fever, cough and cold, then the person will be immediately be taken for a checkup. When it comes to door to door, garbage collection, they have been informed to keep a distance from people to not expose each other to risk.
Also Read: Auto Drivers To Deliver Groceries And Medicines In Bangalore Amidst COVID-19 Lockdown
What’s More?
Many residents of Bangalore are of the opinion that garbage collection has slowed down ever since the coronavirus outbreak spread like wildfire in the city. Uncleared garbage has been witnessed in several parts of Bangalore. But the BBMP has clearly instructed marshals to not strictly penalize people who litter or dump waste in public places, as there has been a slowdown in garbage collection, and people are unsure of the next steps to be taken until further notice. Did you know Bangalore Is The World’s Most Traffic Congested City As Per Annual Traffic Index?
The interim report prepared through collaborative efforts of the All India Central Council Of Trade Unions Karnataka(AICCTU) stated that around 87.5% of daily and weekly wage labourers have admitted that their livelihoods have been affected by the coronavirus epidemic. The report further mentioned that sanitary workers or pourakarmikas are the most vulnerable to this deadly disease. Better working practices and health conditions for these workers have been recommended. Well Bangaloreans, do segregate your waste properly and make sure you place it at the designated spot for collection during the first shift of garbage collectors. We need to work in unison to make sure each other’s lives are comfortable during this lockdown.