Cleanliness – Bengaluru Launches Major Drive to Remove Over 22,000 Tonnes of Waste

Cleanliness – Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday launched a large-scale cleanliness campaign in Bengaluru, calling on residents to take equal responsibility for maintaining the city’s environment. Stressing that Bengaluru belongs to its people rather than the government, he said lasting improvements would only be possible if citizens actively protected public spaces and private properties.

Citywide Campaign Targets Waste Removal

The campaign, titled “Freedom from Waste,” was formally launched near the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda statue close to the Hebbal flyover by Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda. According to the state government, the initiative aims to remove around 22,372 tonnes of accumulated waste from different parts of the city.

The clean-up operation will focus on clearing construction debris, municipal solid waste, abandoned electric poles, unused pipes, soil heaps, overgrown vegetation, and fallen tree branches. Officials said the effort is intended to improve both public safety and the overall appearance of Bengaluru.

Citizens Asked to Take Ownership of the City

While addressing those present at the launch, Shivakumar referred to Mahatma Gandhi’s emphasis on cleanliness and urged residents to treat Bengaluru as their own shared responsibility.

He said the city’s infrastructure and public assets ultimately belong to the people, making it essential for every resident to contribute to keeping neighbourhoods clean. According to the Chief Minister, government initiatives alone cannot achieve long-term success without active public participation and greater civic awareness.

Strict Monitoring Against Illegal Waste Dumping

The Chief Minister also announced stricter enforcement against the illegal disposal of garbage and construction waste across Bengaluru. He said law enforcement agencies have been instructed to use the city’s extensive CCTV surveillance network to identify violators.

Shivakumar stated that any vehicle found dumping waste or construction debris without permission could be seized. He recalled that earlier enforcement measures had briefly reduced illegal dumping after notices were issued to offenders, but the practice gradually resumed. He directed police authorities to maintain continuous monitoring and take firm action against repeat violations.

According to him, preventing unauthorized waste disposal is critical to maintaining cleaner streets and protecting public spaces from environmental damage.

Focus on Civic Responsibility

Emphasising the importance of community participation, Shivakumar said developing civic responsibility among residents should remain a long-term priority. He noted that preserving public spaces cannot be achieved solely through government intervention and requires consistent cooperation from citizens.

The Chief Minister said a cleaner city depends not only on sanitation workers and officials but also on responsible behaviour from individuals, businesses, and property owners.

Proposal for Timely Development of Vacant Plots

Alongside the cleanliness initiative, Shivakumar proposed stricter rules for owners of plots allotted by the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) and the municipal corporation.

He suggested that residential construction should be completed within five years of obtaining a site. If land remains vacant beyond that period, authorities may consider imposing higher property taxes or reclaiming the plot, subject to policy decisions.

He also encouraged landowners to begin construction even with modest homes instead of leaving sites unused as long-term investments. Pointing out that housing loans are widely available, he said owners could gradually expand their homes over time.

According to the Chief Minister, neglected vacant plots often become sources of waste accumulation and create maintenance challenges that should not become the government’s responsibility. He urged property owners to maintain their land properly, adding that protecting private property also contributes to safeguarding the city’s overall environment.