K’taka 'Freedom from Waste' campaign in Bengaluru, warns of action against illegal dumping

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday launched the month-long 'Freedom from Waste' campaign in Bengaluru and warned that vehicles used for illegal dumping of construction debris and waste would be seized.

The campaign, organised by the five city corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) in collaboration with Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) and other agencies, aims to clear construction and demolition waste, inert waste and debris from roads and public spaces.

Launching the drive at Hebbal Junction, Shivakumar said police had been directed to take stringent action against illegal dumping.

"If anyone dumps construction debris or waste without permission, or disposes of it anywhere other than the designated location, those vehicles must be seized," he said.

The chief minister urged citizens to take greater responsibility for keeping Bengaluru clean, saying the government alone could not sustain cleanliness in the city.

He also announced measures for vacant sites, saying owners of BDA and corporation plots should construct houses within five years and keep the sites clean. He suggested imposing double taxes or taking back sites if owners failed to develop them within the stipulated period.

Shivakumar also said the government was working on a "historic" initiative to increase Bengaluru's green cover, which he plans to announce during an event marking his government's 100 days.

The campaign has identified 1,616 locations containing 22,730 metric tonnes of waste, with 70 tippers deployed for its removal.

Owners of private vacant sites have been directed to clear waste, debris and overgrown vegetation by August 15. If they fail to do so, city corporations will undertake the cleaning, recover the cost from the owners and impose penalties as per the rules.

The campaign involves the Greater Bengaluru Authority, BSWML, BWSSB, BESCOM, BMRCL, Indian Railways, K-RIDE, NHAI, BDA, KIADB and other agencies.

Shivakumar also said the government would clear Bengaluru's footpaths while providing designated spaces for street vendors, stressing that vendors could continue their businesses but should not obstruct pedestrians or vehicular movement.

He further warned against attacks on civic officials, saying such incidents would not be tolerated and would be treated as attacks on the government.