Residents flag health risks over Organic Waste Converter at Godrej Eternity in Bengaluru

Residents of Godrej Eternity, a residential community with 64 blocks and 880 dwelling units, located off Kanakapura Road in south Bengaluru, have written to the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) objecting to the construction and proposed operation of an Organic Waste Converter (OWC) within the apartment premises.  

In a letter submitted to the Board, the residents stated that the OWC is being constructed in close proximity to residential blocks, with the structure located less than 10 feet from homes in an open area immediately adjoining the apartments. According to the residents, more than 100 households are likely to be directly and severely affected by odour, emission, noise and the constant movement and handling of wet waste in a densely populated residential environment. 

The residents have argued that, at the time of booking and sale of the apartments, no disclosure was made regarding the placement of an OWC near residential blocks. While the developer has claimed that the location is part of the approved master plan or blueprint, the residents contend that this information was never communicated or consented to by apartment owners. 

The letter further pointed over the nature of the facility being constructed. While the approval, as understood by residents and as claimed by the developer, was for organic waste processing, the structure under construction is described as a 350 square feet enclosed facility proposed to use electric burning or incineration. Residents said that such technology, particularly when handling segregated wet waste in close proximity to homes, could pose serious health and environmental risks. 

Residents also flagged the logistical challenges associated with the project, stating that wet waste generated across all 64 blocks and 880 households will have to be manually transported across multiple residential blocks to the OWC, and will increase hygiene risks.

Despite repeated meetings and objections raised by residents, the builder has continued construction, allegedly without adequately addressing environmental, health or safety concerns, the letter stated. The residents have also pointed to what they describe as a regulatory gap, noting that there are no clearly defined guidelines from the government or the Pollution Control Board specifying minimum safe distance for the placement of OWCs from residential blocks. In the absence of such norms, they argue, builders are unilaterally deciding locations that have a direct bearing on residents’ health and well-being. 

The residents have requested the Pollution Control Board to conduct an immediate site inspection to verify approvals, the technology being used and overall compliance, and to assess the environmental and public health impact of the proposed facility. They have also sought directions to halt further construction and operation of the OWC until compliance and residents’ safety are ensured, and have recommended that wet waste disposal be shifted to a location far away from the residential community.  

Despite repeated attempts, Pollution Control Board officials were not available for a comment.