Mon Jan 27 10:19:35 UTC 2025: ## Bengaluru Cracks Down on Vacant Land Dumping, Addresses Rising Garbage Burning
**Bengaluru, January 27, 2025** – The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has launched a crackdown on owners of vacant plots who are using them as illegal dumping grounds. Over 600 notices have been issued in the last three months by the Revenue Department, following an order from BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath. The notices cite Section 18 (1) (b) of the BBMP Solid Waste Management Bye-Law 2020, which mandates property owners to maintain their land cleanly.
Violators face penalties up to ₹50,000, plus an additional 50% of the cost of cleanup. The Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) will remove the waste from offending properties, and then bill the owners for the cost of the operation. The BBMP is also exploring adding these penalties to property tax bills.
Simultaneously, concerns are rising over increased garbage burning across the city. Citizens report irregular dry waste collection as a contributing factor, with piles of dry leaves and other waste being set alight. A senior marshal confirms that dry waste collection is particularly irregular in outer zones, leading to increased burning in over 150 wards. This is happening despite the leaf fall season not yet being in full swing. Residents cite examples of dry waste collectors themselves igniting the piles.
The BBMP is urged to improve its dry waste collection mechanisms to address the problem. The increase in illegal burning poses significant health risks due to air pollution.
First Piper 