UDUPI: The Beedinagudde Development Committee, alongside local residents, has raised a strong objection against the construction of a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) inside residential limits, citing environmental degradation and long-term health risks.

The standoff led to a high-tension review meeting on Saturday at the under-construction plant site, held in the presence of Udupi City Municipality Commissioner Mahantesh Hangaragi. The modern recycling facility is being set up under the central government’s Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 with a capital layout of ₹3 to ₹3.5 crores, featuring a daily treatment capacity of 33 tonnes of dry waste.

Raising concerns during the meeting, Sudhir Devadiga, a member of the local committee, claimed that the civic body initially misled residents by stating that a vegetable and fish market complex would occupy the site. He accused the municipality of initiating the solid waste facility secretly without seeking local consent or addressing neighborhood feedback.

Refuting the allegations, City Commissioner Mahantesh Hangaragi maintained that transparency was maintained throughout the planning phase. “The municipality did not lie about structural operations. It was clearly declared that a dry-waste processing unit would be housed here. The layout was approved via official council resolutions and published via public media announcements. Modern MRF systems strictly manage non-biodegradable waste, ensuring zero threat to surrounding communities. If any health issues surface, citizens have legal recourse to halt operations through the judiciary,” the commissioner clarified.

Countering the official’s stance, another resident, Karthik Devadiga, emphasized that chemical residues found within dry garbage, such as expired medical covers, toxins, and plastic fibers, pose worse hazards than standard organic matter. He stated that the area, which previously served as a chaotic dumping ground, has evolved into a key urban transit junction and will not be allowed to degrade again.

Demanding an immediate shift of the project, resident Sheikh Waheed Dawood Saheb stated that the public land, located adjacent to a traditional crematorium, should instead be redeveloped into an eco-park rather than a waste facility. City Council Assistant Executive Engineer Yashwanth, Environmental Engineer Ravi Prakash, former nominated member Muhammad, and committee leader Chandra Mohan were present during the deliberations.

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