Fri Jun 20 15:50:38 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

The Karnataka High Court has halted a new tender issued by Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Ltd (BSWML) for garbage collection and transportation. The court found that BSWML violated a previous undertaking to the court, made by the State Advocate General, to continue with a prior tender from November 7, 2024. Instead, BSWML issued a new tender on May 28, which included new clauses, without the court’s permission. The court expressed displeasure with the government’s conduct and issued an interim order on a petition filed by the Bengaluru Mahanagara Swachate Mattu Lorry Malikara Hagoo Guthigedarara Sangha, which claimed the new tender violated procurement regulations.

**News Article:**

**Bengaluru Garbage Tender Halted by Karnataka High Court Amid Breach of Undertaking**

**Bengaluru, June 20, 2025:** The Karnataka High Court has put a stop to a new tender process initiated by Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Ltd (BSWML) for the collection and transportation of garbage in the city. The court’s decision came after it determined that BSWML had breached an undertaking previously given to the court regarding an earlier tender from November 7, 2024.

The court highlighted that on April 22, 2025, it had authorized the State government and BSWML to proceed with the original tender. However, instead of continuing with that process, BSWML launched a new tender on May 28, 2025, with altered clauses. This action was deemed a violation of the assurance made by the State Advocate General that the initial tender would proceed to its logical conclusion, allowing all contractors to participate, even those previously disqualified or whose bids were rejected.

Justice M. Nagaprasanna issued the interim order following a petition filed by the Bengaluru Mahanagara Swachate Mattu Lorry Malikara Hagoo Guthigedarara Sangha, a union representing garbage contractors. The petition alleged that the government’s approval for the new tender on May 26 included a condition requiring BSWML to seek permission from the relevant minister, a provision the union argued violated the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act.

During the hearing, the court expressed its disappointment with the State government’s handling of the matter and its failure to uphold the earlier commitment. The halted tender process now casts uncertainty over the future of garbage collection in Bengaluru and may lead to further legal challenges.

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