Bengaluru Civic Clean-Up Drive and Urban Land Policy Updates

City-Wide Debris Clearance Drive

The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) launched the month-long “Tyajyadinda Swatantra” (Freedom from Waste) campaign on August 1, inaugurated by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar at Hebbal. The drive, implemented under the Just Clean Bengaluru (JCB) vertical, targets 1,616 identified sites across the city holding an estimated 22,732 tonnes of illegally dumped construction and demolition waste, including debris, excavated soil, concrete slabs, pipes and utility poles. GBA has deployed over 200 vehicles to transport inert waste, with parastatal agencies including the BDA, Bescom, BMRCL, K-RIDE, NHAI, KIADB and the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) roped in as partners. BSWML has earmarked 5 dedicated locations for dumping the cleared waste, and the Minister of State for Railways has directed Indian Railways to remove construction debris from railway land across the city. GBA estimates the total volume of waste to be cleared could cross 1 lakh tonnes by the end of the drive.

Electrical Infrastructure Overhaul for Public Mobility

The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (Bescom) has joined the clean-up drive to address obstructing electrical infrastructure on public walkways and roads. Energy Minister K.J. George and Bescom Managing Director N. Shivashankara inspected ongoing transformer relocation work at Channakeshava Layout, directing officials to speed up execution. Chief Engineers (Electrical) of the Bengaluru North and South Metropolitan Zones have been appointed as nodal officers to coordinate with the GBA. Under the plan, large transformers blocking pedestrian footpaths will either be replaced with specially designed compact units or mounted on spun poles placed away from walkways. Gang Operated Switches and operating levers installed on transformer poles will be maintained at a minimum height of 7 feet above ground level, while unused, decommissioned or damaged electrical poles, ring main units and obstructing transformers will be relocated to stores or suitable alternative locations.

Punitive Measures for Vacant Urban Plots and Debris Transport

The Chief Minister announced two key policy measures alongside the clean-up drive. First, plots allotted by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) or city corporations that remain vacant for over 5 years without any construction activity will attract double the existing property tax, and the state government will initiate proceedings to repossess such unused plots. Second, the GBA is planning to make registration with the authority and mandatory GPS installation compulsory for all vehicles transporting construction debris and inert waste, with a final decision pending a multi-department meeting. Shivakumar also urged non-governmental organisations to participate in the campaign by adopting specific localities or roads for maintenance, and noted a formal announcement for a “Green Bengaluru” initiative will be made soon.

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