Garbage piles up as door-to-door collection falters across Bengaluru

Bengaluru: What began as delays in arrival of garbage collection vehicles has now escalated into prolonged waits, with many city areas reporting no door-to-door collection for two to three days at a stretch.One reason for the missing vehicles is that contractors are unhappy with the proposed "packages" of Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML), sources in BWSML told TOI.The "package" includes replacing the ageing fleet with GPS-fitted auto tippers and larger trucks for more efficient collection, alongside development of four integrated processing plants on the city's outskirts. Under this model, a single contractor will be responsible for collecting all categories of waste — wet, dry, and sanitary — while also clearing "black spots" (garbage dumps along roads) and operating collection kiosks. By standardising equipment and tracking vehicles in real-time, the initiative aims to professionalise garbage disposal and ensure the city's waste is processed effectively rather than just dumped.Uncertainty Over ‘Packages' However, the plan has failed to take off for years. From an initial proposal of over 80 packages proposed in 2022, the number has now been reduced to 33 following years of legal and administrative hurdles. Among the 33, only 21 have gone to the govt for approval.BSWML CEO Karee Gowda said. "As of now, 21 packages are ready to go once the govt gives approval." He said the 21 packages will cost Rs 3,180 cr for seven years, and the financial aspect is also awaiting govt clearance.The remaining 12 packages continue to be stuck in legal disputes, with contractors making allegations of corruption against senior officials, including those in the urban development department. Until these issues are resolved, the city's waste management crisis is likely to persist.Norms Not Being FollowedResidents say the immediate need is for consistent and reliable garbage collection rather than long-term plans. With user fees being collected through property tax, many argue that the current level of service is unacceptable.Under standard norms, wet waste is to be collected daily, while dry waste is picked up on alternate days. However, residents allege that both systems have broken down.Amareesh, a resident of Bellandur, said, "Dry waste vehicles are coming once in two weeks, when they were supposed to come twice a week. Wet waste collection is very irregular after BSWML took over. In some cases, there are even demands for money during pickups." He added that residents of Green Glen Layout, including Blocks 31, 32 and 33, have formed WhatsApp groups that have garbage vehicle drivers and BSWML officials to raise complaints. "Despite follow-ups, there has been no action. The problem is not just in our layout — people in Haralur and nearby areas are facing the same issue," he said.Mushrooming ‘Black Spots' With no clarity on when garbage will be collected, many residents are left with no option but to dump waste on roadsides. This has led to an increase in "black spots", or open garbage dumps, which occupy road space and create unhygienic conditions.Sanjay R, a resident of Padmanabhanagar, said, "Garbage is lying on roads, creating slippery surfaces. Not everyone has space to store garbage for a week. People end up throwing it outside." He also highlighted the health risks. "There is stench, rodents and stray animals tearing open garbage bags. If we keep waste outside, animals scatter it everywhere. So, we store it inside the house, which is also not ideal," he said.Dakshayini P, an IT professional from Doddanekundi, said, "The gap between visits (by waste collection vehicles) is now two to three days. Different vehicles for dry and wet waste come at different time slots. For people like us working in IT, it was already difficult to manage with such timings. Now, the vehicles are not coming at all for days."MSID:: 130803347 413 |