On Monday morning, residents of Lakshmipura in Anekal taluk were shocked to find stagnant water on the streets boiling and gas emanating from the ground, catching fire at many places. The villagers had complained against the rampant dumping of garbage at a stone quarry on the outskirts of Lakshmipura.

BBMP officials said that earlier, bubbles formed only at one point on the 7.5 acre quarry. The villagers covered the spot with mud and did not worry about its side-effects. But with garbage beneath the soil, over a period of time, it generated methane gas, which percolated through the soil, spreading all over. This resulted in fire and the stagnant water is seen boiling at the surface. Some people are now using these noxious flames to cook food.

Water Boils, Soil Catches Fire in Anekal:

But when the fire broke out around 10 am on Monday, the villagers were scared. Several residents came to the open ground and started boiling water and cooking rice and egg in aluminium utensils by simply lighting a match on the ground. This was their way of highlighting the BBMP’s apathy. Residents alleged that the fire and smoke is due to unscientific dumping of the city’s waste at the quarry till recently.

Naveen, chairman of Mantapa Gram Panchayat under which Lakshmipura falls, told Express that BBMP had been dumping waste for the past three-and-half years.

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The disposal of garbage in an unscientific manner has resulted in the fires. Emission of harmful gas is because the authorities are not topping the garbage with soil as per the procedures. “We have complained to the tahsildar and the BBMP officials, but with no result,” he said.

“It is affecting the health of the people living in the vicinity. Many complained of skin ailments. Farmers are suffering as groundwater is contaminated,” Naveen said.

Fires break out from ground at garbage dumpyard:

There are about 30 houses near the quarry, while over 1,100 houses are in Lakshmipura, which is around 2 km from the spot. The methane has caused contamination of underground water up to a 2km radius and increased temperatures in the area over the past six months.

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Authorities are now trying to control the damage. Earthmovers were brought and 8-9 spots where the gas was emanating dug out. “We are also piling steel rods into the garbage to pour in effective microbial solution. At least 10,000 litres have to be pumped in over time, so that the waste inside dissolves,” said Muniraju, joint commissioner, Bommanahalli.

A large number of saplings need to be planted to accelerate the decomposition of waste. BBMP officials said up to 3,000 trees will be planted in coming months.