Hundreds of students and teachers at a government school and a pre-university college in JC Nagar, near the Parachute Regiment Training Centre (PRTC), are forced to endure foul smells and unhygienic conditions due to garbage dumped near the school compound and leachate leaking from garbage trucks parked there year-round.

A half-kilometre stretch of footpath covered with heaps of garbage bags and used mattresses is not only an eyesore, but also makes it difficult for pedestrians and schoolchildren.

The complex houses three government schools — Government Urdu Medium Higher Primary School, Kannada Medium Higher Primary School and High School, and Tamil Medium Higher Primary School — and a pre-university college.

Speaking to The Hindu, Ayesha, in-charge headmistress of the Urdu school, said, “Around 40 students study at our school, another 40 at the Tamil school and 200 students at the Kannada school. A year ago, there were no garbage trucks parked near the school and no waste was being dumped. However, in the past one year, two garbage trucks have been parked here almost every day. Leachate keeps leaking from these trucks and the smell emanating from it causes a burning sensation in the nose. It has turned into a waste collection point.”

Expressing disappointment, Ms. Ayesha said, “We are always anxious here about children or staff members falling sick. Due to the smell, we close all doors and windows during classes. When children are served mid-day meals, they are forced to eat them while enduring the foul smell of garbage.”

Shobha, principal of the pre-university college, said, “For the past few months, loads of garbage have been dumped by pourakarmikas. We have informed them to remove it because the smell is unbearable. They keep it clean for two days and again the garbage dumping and collecting saga resumes. Since the garbage trucks are parked here, people living in and around JC Nagar also come and dump heaps of garbage. There is all kinds of waste here, including old mattresses, sofas, clothes, food, used sanitary pads and plastic bags.”

She added, “Not only the smell, even rats have started entering classrooms and the principal’s cabin, destroying documents and books, and bringing all kinds of diseases. If the government can pass an order to clear junk food stalls within 50 metres of school and college campuses, then why not clear these garbage trucks? They are equally dangerous to students’ health.”

A Class VI student of the Kannada Medium Higher Primary School said, “Foul smell, mosquitoes, and rats have increased in number due to the garbage right next to the school compound. It has become difficult to walk on the footpath while coming to school or going back home.”

When the issue was brought to the notice of Bengaluru North City Corporation Commissioner Pommala Sunil Kumar, he said, “The issue will be looked into and the garbage will be cleared soon.”

Published - August 20, 2026 08:39 pm IST