Date:01/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/01/stories/2006050119030300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Tractors seized; fine to be imposed

Staff Reporter

They were dumping debris into a drain

BANGALORE: The Bangalore Mahanagara Palike's (BMP) round-the-clock "Storm Water/Side Walk Obstruction Removal Drive" (SWORD) seized three tractors for trying to dump debris into the storm water drain along the Vrishabhavathi valley on Saturday.

The BMP said the civic body would impose a fine on the owners of these tractors.

"The seized tractors (two loaded and one empty as it had already dumped debris) are kept at the BMP head office. Soon, we will start booking cases against the violators. We have also sought police help," a senior official said.

Soon after the drive was launched on Wednesday, five trucks that were dumping debris into drains were caught.

The BMP will soon identify two debris-dumping yards in every Assistant Revenue Office range for dumping debris.

"People can dump debris on the identified sites by paying a nominal fee. We will later transport the debris to scientific landfills and quarry pits," the official added.