Lokayukta sets August 15 deadline to clear remaining garbage black spots in Bengaluru

The Karnataka Lokayukta has directed the five Greater Bengaluru city corporations and Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) to intensify efforts to eliminate garbage black spots and ensure scientific disposal of solid waste, setting August 15 as the deadline for major clean-up measures.

Reviewing the progress on July 29, the Lokayukta expressed dissatisfaction over the continued existence of garbage black spots despite repeated directions and several review meetings. The authority noted that complaints of illegal dumping and unscientific waste disposal continue to be received from across Bengaluru.

The review was held to assess compliance with directions issued during a meeting on June 10, where commissioners of all five city corporations and the Chief Operating Officer of BSWML were instructed to implement a series of measures to improve waste management.

The Lokayukta directed civic bodies to deploy GPS-enabled garbage collection vehicles, immediately install GPS devices in existing vehicles that lack them, and phase out old vehicles that cannot be equipped with the technology. Junior Health Inspectors, supervisors and marshals were made responsible for preventing the formation of garbage black spots, while Assistant General Managers were instructed to closely monitor waste collection in residential areas and interior roads. BSWML was directed to initiate action against contractors violating waste management norms.

During the review, Bengaluru East City Corporation informed the Lokayukta that it has identified 168 garbage black spots, of which 50 have been cleared, and assured that the remaining sites would be removed by August 15 with measures to prevent their recurrence.

Bengaluru West City Corporation reported that 155 of the 385 identified black spots have already been cleared. Another 150 black spots would be removed by the August 15 deadline.

Bengaluru North City Corporation stated that it had cleared 171 of the 268 identified black spots and promised to remove the remaining sites in a phased manner, with at least 50 more black spots to be cleared by August 15.

BSWML Chief Operating Officer informed the Lokayukta that GPS devices, supplied by Intel, are being installed in garbage collection vehicles. As part of the first phase, 500 vehicles operating in the C.V. Raman Nagar and Shantinagar zones will be fitted with GPS by August 15.

BSWML has identified 5,837 Bulk Waste Generators across Bengaluru through a comprehensive survey. It plans to operationalise 1,000 waste processors across the five city corporations by August 15 to strengthen scientific waste processing and reduce illegal dumping.

The Lokayukta directed all civic agencies to submit regular progress reports and ensure strict implementation of waste management measures to eliminate garbage black spots and improve cleanliness across Bengaluru.