Bengaluru’s new sanitation rule: Fine for not handing over household waste. india news

Last updated:November 12, 2025, 14:48 IST

The logic is simple. When people do not hand over their household waste to authorized collection vehicles, they often throw it in vacant plots, drains or roadside corners.

Bengaluru’s solid waste problem is one that shows no signs of going away. Every few months new measures are introduced – more trucks, more awareness campaigns and more fines. Still, the piles of trash keep coming back.

The city generates more than 4,000 tonnes of waste every day, and managing this quantity has become one of the biggest civic challenges for the civic authorities and its waste management arm, Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML).

Now, in a move that has taken many residents by surprise, officials are preparing to impose fines not only on those littering but also on those who fail to hand over their garbage to collection vehicles. The idea may seem unusual, but officials say it is a necessary step to prevent citizens from throwing garbage elsewhere.

Why was the fine imposed?

The logic is simple. When people do not hand over their household waste to authorized collection vehicles, they often throw it in vacant plots, drains or roadside corners.

This scattered garbage not only spoils the look of the city, but also blocks the drainage system and contributes to the breeding of mosquitoes. To discourage such behaviour, BSWML plans to impose fine on those who avoid handing over their daily waste to designated waste collectors.

According to officials, the purpose of the fine is not punishment but deterrence. The aim is to ensure that residents hand over separate waste, both wet and dry, to the collection staff every day instead of finding shortcuts.

Official stance on the new rule

Karigowda, executive officer of Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited, confirmed that the new enforcement drive is part of a broader cleanup strategy. “We will identify and fine those who do not regularly hand over their garbage and throw it out,” he said.

“Many people also fail to separate their wet and dry waste, complicating recycling. From now on, waste segregation will be strictly monitored. If residents refuse to hand over garbage, both fines and legal action will be taken.”

Officials said marshals and ward level staff have been instructed to maintain daily logs of garbage collection routes. Through these records, those who do not provide garbage regularly will be identified.

Public reaction: support and skepticism

Residents have mixed reactions to this announcement. Some believe that fines could eventually force people to follow proper waste disposal habits, while others argue that civic authorities should first fix anomalies in garbage collection.

Kempanna, a senior citizen of Rajajinagar, expressed a common concern. He said, “We agree to identify and impose fines on those who do not deposit garbage daily. But the garbage truck does not come every day. Sometimes it stops for two days. The authorities should make the system reliable before penalizing citizens.”

Others believe the measure could reduce the growing trend of illegal dumping, especially near under-construction sites and vacant plots. However, environmental activists argue that enforcement should be fair. He suggests that BSWML publish ward-wise collection schedules and helpline numbers for complaints before imposing fines.

How will the fine be imposed?

Although the exact fine amount has not been decided, officials say they will follow the existing structure used for littering offences. Currently, the fine for throwing garbage on roads or in open areas ranges from Rs 100 to Rs 1,000, depending on the violation. The new rule will apply the same framework to those who fail to hand over household waste.

The authorities have also planned an awareness campaign to educate people about the importance of isolation and daily collection. In most areas, waste is expected to be divided into three categories – wet waste, dry waste, and sanitary or hazardous waste. Each type goes to a different processing unit, and when citizens fail to comply, it disrupts the entire chain.

A big clean up mission

The latest decision is part of Bengaluru’s larger “Zero Waste to Landfill” initiative, under which the city aims to send minimal waste to dumping grounds by promoting composting, recycling and decentralized waste processing. Officials believe that strict enforcement, coupled with citizen cooperation, can bring visible change.

For now, BSWML’s message is clear: every household should hand in its garbage daily, properly segregated and on time. As the city tightens its grip on waste management, Bengaluru’s clean-up story could either become a model for other metros – or another reminder that civic reforms require both planning and patience to succeed.