Bengaluru Launches ‘Freedom from Waste’ Drive
Month-long campaign targets over 22,000 tonnes of debris as authorities warn of fines for illegal dumping
- Bengaluru identifies 1,616 locations with around 22,730 metric tonnes of waste.
- Month-long drive will target construction debris and waste dumped in public spaces.
- Vacant plot owners have been asked to clear waste by August 15.
- Violators face fines starting at ₹25,000 and reaching up to ₹1 lakh for repeat offences.
GG News Bureau
Bengaluru, 1st Aug: The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has launched a month-long ‘Freedom from Waste’ campaign to clear construction and demolition debris and curb illegal dumping across Bengaluru, with authorities identifying 1,616 locations containing an estimated 22,730 metric tonnes of waste.
The campaign, which will continue throughout August, will target construction and demolition debris, inert waste, tree branches and other waste accumulated along roadsides, vacant plots and public spaces.
Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said accumulated debris not only affects the city’s appearance but can also become a public health hazard as weeds grow over it and create breeding and nesting grounds for mosquitoes, rats and snakes. Household garbage is also frequently dumped on such debris, he said.
The campaign is being jointly implemented by the five city corporations under the GBA along with Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited, BWSSB, BESCOM, BMRCL, Indian Railways, K-RIDE, NHAI, BDA and KIADB.
Authorities have also directed owners of vacant plots to clear waste from their properties by August 15. Gowda said the respective city corporations would remove the waste if owners fail to comply and recover the cost from them.
Officials said illegal dumping would attract a ₹25,000 fine for the first offence, while repeat violations could result in penalties ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh.
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also called on residents to take responsibility for maintaining their private properties, saying keeping vacant plots clean was the responsibility of their owners just as maintaining public roads was the government’s duty.
Authorities have deployed 70 tippers to transport collected waste to designated disposal sites at Yarappanahalli, Marenahalli, Venkatapura, Vittasandra and Kallubalu.
Bengaluru South BJP MP Tejasvi Surya also urged residents to support the initiative and participate in efforts to clean the city.
