No new project proposals; No funding for roads, potholes, drains; No recognition of the demands of the common people

‘Massive budget’ of loans and guarantees

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ manjunath

Bengaluru: BBMP’s budget for 2025-26, which has the distinction of being the ‘Massive budget’ in the history of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, is limited to the projects of the previous year. It has relied solely on government grants, guarantees, and loans, and has managed to allocate funds for the huge projects announced for two years.

The shadow of the ‘Brand Bengaluru’ concept has continued in this budget as well, and an attempt has been made to allocate this money for projects under eight categories under it. People had high hopes for the BBMP budget, which received the highest funding from the state government. They were hoping for projects that would provide pothole-free roads, silt-free drains, waste-free areas, and traffic congestion-free traffic. However, the budget did not pay any attention to these.

65% of the total budget amount has been allocated for public works including tunnel road, double decker, elevated corridor, new road, white topping. Most of this amount has been given to major works, while ward roads and drains have been ignored.

Waste management has been implemented without any hesitation to collect user fees from property tax, which is a burden on the citizens. ₹1,400 crore is being spent on solid waste management, and all its works are again revolving around the ‘integrated waste management’ project. The old statement of solid waste management in 100 acres in four directions has continued in this budget as well, and money has been allocated in the budget for old projects for collection of traditional waste, construction waste, and garbage. 

It was said in the last two budgets that the city would be greened and millions of saplings would be planted. The same thing has continued in this budget as well. But only greenery is not seen in the city. Healthy Bengaluru projects have remained in the budget for two years, and this year too, it has been said that the same thing will be proposed and upgraded. Hospitals suffering from shortage of staff have not been treated.

Bommanahalli zone has shown more interest in the development of parks and lakes. It has been said that the lakes will be revived, and funds will be provided for the developed lakes. No time has been set for the implementation of rainwater harvesting systems in public places and municipal buildings.

A bold step has been taken to use technology and artificial intelligence, and the plan to save crores of rupees by developing applications by the municipal corporation itself instead of outsourcing is good. The road pothole app is already lying around, and it is a good development that it is planned to treat it and make it ‘BBMP-One-App’ and bring it on a single platform to solve the problems.

The grand budget has shown how the grants, guarantees and World Bank-aided loans provided by the government will be channeled to huge projects. Thousands of crores are transferred to SPVs to manage loans, public-private partnerships, build-operate-transfer projects. Overall, like putting a new label on an old product and selling it, old projects have been given shape in the budget and money has been given for the expenses.

BBMP presents budget; Implementation of mega projects through SPV

₹73,000 crore project for SPV

Bengaluru: BBMP, which has received an additional grant of ₹4,000 crore from the state government, intends to implement mega projects worth ₹73,600 crore through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) in the next five years.

This is the first time in BBMP's history that such a large amount of projects are being undertaken, the 2025-26 budget presented on Saturday said. The SPV has been entrusted with the formulation, implementation, external financing and preparation of bid documents for these complex projects.

The budget, approved by BBMP Administrative Officer S.R. Umashankar, was presented by Special Commissioner of Finance K. Harish Kumar at the Town Hall on Saturday.

The ‘Brand Bengaluru – Smooth Bengaluru’ concept has prepared a ‘Comprehensive Traffic Management Plan’ to provide a sustainable solution to traffic congestion, and the budget has said that major infrastructure projects will be undertaken for it.

It is proposed to implement mega projects over a period of five years with the formulation, implementation, external financing and expertise of complex projects at a cost of ₹73,600 crore. For this, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) comprising urban planners, expert engineers and administrators will be formed. The income from premium FAR fees and advertisement fees will be transferred to the SPV, which will be responsible for the implementation of tunnel roads, elevated corridors, double deckers, roads adjacent to Rajakaluve, white topping, sky towers (skydecks), and road expansion projects. ₹42 thousand crore has been allocated for two tunnel roads. With a tunnel road to be implemented in 2025-26, the SPV will handle projects worth a total of ₹31,600 crore.

With the aim of providing more funding for solid waste management projects, it has been decided to collect waste management user charges from property tax itself from April 1.

Projects handled by the SPV

• ₹17,780 crore; Tunnel road from Hebbal to Hosur Road-Silk Board
• ₹13,200 crore; High density/elevated corridors in the outer and inner rings, flyover
• ₹9,000 crore; 40 km double decker on our metro route
• ₹3,000 crore; 300 km road on the side of Rajakaluve
• ₹6,000 crore; White topping on major roads

BBMP Budget 2025–26

₹19,930.64 crore; Total receipt

₹19,927.08 crore; Total expenditure

₹3.56 crore; Savings

How much is the waste management user fee for whom?

Building area; Fee (monthly)

Up to 600 sq ft;₹10

600 sq ft to 1000 sq ft;₹50

1000 sq ft to 2000 sq ft;₹100

2000 sq ft to 3000 sq ft;₹150

3000 sq ft to 4000 sq ft;₹200

More than 4000 sq ft;₹400

Projects worth ₹73,000 crore under SPV scope

A ‘Comprehensive Traffic Management Plan’ has been prepared to provide a sustainable solution to traffic congestion under the concept of ‘Brand Bengaluru – Smooth Traffic Bengaluru’, for which it has been stated in the budget that major infrastructure projects will be undertaken.

It is proposed to implement mega projects over a period of five years in the formulation, implementation, external financing and expertise of complex projects at a cost of ₹73,600 crore. For this, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) comprising urban planners, expert engineers and administrators will be formed. The income from premium FAR fees and advertisement fees will be transferred to the SPV, which will be entrusted with the responsibility of implementing tunnel roads, elevated corridors, double deckers, roads adjacent to Rajakaluve, and white-topping projects.

Projects managed by the SPV

₹17,780 crore; Hebbal to Hosur Road – Silk Board Tunnel

₹13,200 crore; High density/ elevated corridor in outer and inner rings, flyover

₹9,000 crore; 40 km double decker on our metro route

₹3,000 crore; 300 km road on the side of Rajakaluve

₹6,000 crore; White topping on major roads

==

Works under Sugama Bengaluru Project

*₹1,700 crore grant (Government – ​​BBMP) White topping of 157 km long roads

*694 crore; Expansion and modernization of 118 km roads as per revised Master Plan-2015

*1000 km; Construction of footpaths while developing main, sub-main and roads under the ‘pedestrian first’ principle

* ₹440 crore; Silk Board for Fortune-500 reputed IT-BT companies – 22.7 km road development with globalization standards from K.R.Pura – Lauri Junction to Baiyappanahalli Metro Station

₹₹675 crore; ₹2.50 crore per ward for development of 225 wards in the city and ₹50 lakh each for maintenance works

*It is proposed to widen the roads from R.T. Nagar Police Station to Ambedkar College, Lingarajpura flyover to Pulakeshinagar Shyampur main road, Kenchanahalli main road in Yeshwantpur and Mahadevapura roads using TDR. Construction of railway underbridge near Kengeri Sub-city, Ramohalli Gate.

₹1,400 crore for waste management

Under the ‘Swachh Bengaluru’ action plan to clean the city, a waste disposal project of about 100 acres in each package in four directions of the city for the next 30 years will be implemented this year, the budget said.

For the processing of construction waste (debris), four packages for collection, transportation and processing of 750 tonnes of debris per day will be implemented from this year itself in private and public partnership, and debris will be collected from the sites and buildings themselves. Waste transfer stations will be set up in all 27 assembly constituencies under the 15th Finance Commission, Swachh Bharat Nagar 2.0 grant. 

Bio CNG with a capacity of 50 tonnes per day, four biomethanization units, animal waste processing unit, and household hazardous sanitary waste decentralization units will be implemented this year. A 300 tonne capacity Bio CNG unit will be started in collaboration with GAIL.

* ₹187 crore; 39.07 lakhs for traditional waste management under Swachh Bharat Nagar 2.0 grant

* ₹104 crore; 1226 tonnes of dry waste treatment unit under Swachh Bharat Nagar 2.0 grant

* 474.89 crore; Liquid waste treatment at Bellahalli, Mittaganahalli, Bagalur, Baiyappanahalli and Kannur landfills

* 40 crore; 1500 km. Use of advanced mechanical sweeping machines for cleaning long main and sub-main roads

Plan for increasing forest area in the city

Under the concept of ‘Green Bengaluru’, it is proposed to increase forest area, greening of areas, integrated management of trees, wildlife conservation, and forest activities in the city as a responsibility to preserve and protect the biodiversity ecosystem and pass it on to the next generation.

₹2 crore has been allocated for ‘Energy Audit’ of public buildings to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings. The budget states that the establishment of a wildlife rehabilitation unit at the Bannerghatta Biological Park, 2 to 6 months internship in environmental activities for young graduates who love the environment, a forest manual for scientific greening of tree groups and scientific management, and the much-awaited tree census will be completed this year.

* ₹51.69 crore; Special campaign to plant 5 lakh saplings launched

* 20 acres; Well-equipped park with public facilities on government land near Singapore Lake

* 125; Water storage tank and composting unit in parks

* ₹28 crore; Implementation of climate action and resilience plan in one ward of each assembly constituency

₹92 crore; Development work in parks and grounds to increase green space, recreational facilities

* 118 crore; Maintenance of 1,280 parks

₹413 crore for a healthy Bengaluru

Under the ‘Healthy Bengaluru’ campaign, a total of 852 beds in 19 hospitals will be increased to 1,122 beds at a cost of ₹413 crore in the next two years. Over 60 tests will be done free of cost. The budget proposes to provide dental services at 26 new centres.

26 BLS ambulances for emergency care in case of cardiac arrest and other emergencies; 144 electric vehicles for the programme to boost immunity of children of vagrants and slum dwellers, seven physiotherapy facilities for disabled children, 54 artificial intelligence-based refractometers for screening school children will be provided.

Additional work will be done at Royapuram Maternity Hospital, Sagaypur, Kushalnagar Hospital and 50-bed hospitals in Singapore Village and crematoriums will be constructed at Kumbalagoda and Tavarekere.

₹633 crore; M.C. Layout Multi-Specialty Hospital proposed to the government as a medical college

₹12 crore; Grant for construction and maintenance of slaughterhouse

Shelter for dogs, crematorium

Shelter centers for dogs suffering from serious diseases and accidents and crematoriums for animals will be established in three zones. An observation center will be established in Yelahanka zone for dogs that have made it a habit to bite repeatedly. Veterinary clinics in six zones at a cost of ₹7.5 crore, two ABC centers in Bommanahalli and Mahadevapura zones, microchips for stray dogs, food scheme for stray dogs, including a total of ₹60 crore has been allocated in the budget for the management of stray dogs in the year 2025-26.

₹183.69 crore for renovation of schools and colleges

₹183.69 crore has been provided to provide quality education to the children studying in the municipal schools and colleges. Emphasis has been given to opening new schools in five zones and renovating school buildings. Rainwater harvesting, installation of hand gardens and solar roof panels, and installation of sanitary napkin incinerators will be done by involving students in schools and colleges.

* ₹2,000; Salary hike of teachers of the municipal educational institutions

* ₹23.34 crore; Maintenance of municipal school buildings

* ₹30 crore; Playground development

* ₹120.35 crore; Educational programs

₹210 crore for lake maintenance; ₹2 ​​thousand crore for Rajakaluve

₹210 crore has been allocated for the maintenance and development works of lakes under the concept of ‘Water Safety Bengaluru’. It has been informed that all the tube wells and clean drinking water units under the jurisdiction of the corporation will be handed over to the Bangalore Water Supply and Drainage Board for studying birds in all the lakes, setting up rainwater harvesting systems in the corporation buildings and public places.

To reduce weather extremes and create a sustainable environment in the city, the Karnataka Government and BBMP, with financial assistance from the World Bank, under the Karnataka Water Security and Resilience Programme, intend to construct a 174 km long barrier wall for the Rajkaluve with a grant of ₹2,000 crore in the next three years. ₹500 crore is expected from the World Bank this year.

*₹247.25 crore; Permanent relief from the National Disaster Relief Fund in the flood-affected areas of the city

‘BBMP-One-App’ for solving civic problems

Under the ‘Tech Bangalore’ concept, it has been decided to use artificial intelligence technology to save time and resources required for providing corporation services and provide faster services to citizens. ₹40 crore has been allocated for integrating mobile applications for citizen services under ‘BBMP-One-App’.

Citizen-friendly apps will be developed for building plan approval, business licenses, telecom towers, clean-city-waste-management, electric crematorium, lake management, property management. Safe City Camera, information from cameras in corporations, artificial intelligence-based technology will be used to detect deteriorated roads, rainwater stagnation, waste problems, unauthorized advertisements, footpath encroachment, illegal buildings, etc. and take urgent action to resolve the problems of citizens.

 

₹50 crore for Sky Deck 

Under the ‘Romanchaka Bengaluru’ concept, ₹50 crore has been allocated for installing decorative lighting to beautify and attract the city, ₹25 crore for junction improvement and beautification of public spaces, and ₹50 crore for the construction of Sky Tower (Sky-deck), and these works are in progress. 

In coordination with the Sports Department, it is proposed to provide funding for a project to create a multi-purpose sports facility in Jakkur and to organize a year-round ‘Bengaluru Habba’ in parks to strengthen community ties.

Using LED technology everywhere in the city, energy costs will be reduced from ₹300 crore to ₹200 crore. It has been informed that the ₹100 crore saved will be used for the Vibrant Bengaluru project.

₹100 crore; Grant to Kempegowda Development Authority for Magadi Fort development

₹1360 crore for ‘Brand Bangalore’

Under the concept of ‘Brand Bangalore’, a total of ₹2,8280 crore worth of major projects have been undertaken for a period of three years in 2024-25. A separate escrow account has been opened to implement these projects, and ₹660.00 crore has already been transferred in 2024-25. A grant of ₹700.00 crore has been provided in the budget for 2025-26, and this amount will also be transferred to the escrow account. Overall, steps will be taken to pay a total of ₹1,360.00 crore in 2025-26. The budget states that the remaining amount will be provided in the next year and the works will be completed.

Ezee Hi-tech Toilet: Amenities for all

 New generation toilets under Shubhra Bangalore grant; Free for all

Ezee Hi-tech Toilet: Amenities for all

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: Citizens often complain about the problem of urinals and toilets in the city. It can be said that there are no public toilets for the disabled. To solve all these problems, high-tech ‘Ezee’ toilets with separate systems are being built in the city for everyone to use.

‘Ezee’ toilets have separate systems for men, women, disabled people, and gender minorities. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike is building these toilets in many parts of the city under the ‘Shubhra Bangalore’ grant. Citizens do not have to pay any fee to use these eco-friendly toilets that provide amenities for everyone.

Ezee toilets, which include sensor flushing urinals, have commodes mounted on the wall and no pipes are visible. Sensors are installed on each tap to save water. There is a two-way drainage system and the treated water is used for urinals and toilets. Perforated sheets and polycarbonate sheets are installed for air and light.

‘The toilets are easy to use, accessible, clean and available at the required location. Hence, the name ‘Ezee’ has been given by using the English word ‘Easy’. 40 Ezee toilets are being constructed in the city. The first toilet has been started on the banks of Yelahanka Lake. Ten toilets are under construction on the banks of lakes in Bommanahalli and BTM divisions. The remaining toilets will be constructed in the required places in the city by the end of this year,’ informed the engineers of the BBMP’s Health and Sanitation Department.

‘In the first phase of constructing eco-friendly toilets, 20 toilets have been constructed in many areas including Sarakki Lake. These toilets, which are free for public use, do not have high-tech facilities. In the second phase, Easy toilets are being constructed in an eco-friendly manner with facilities found in airports and luxury hotels,’ he said.

Where are the Ezee Toilets?

Yelahanka Lake, Bommanahalli Division's Kudlu Chikkakere, Anjanapura Lake, Subramanyapura Lake, Gottigere Lake, Begur Lake, Basavanapura Lake, BTM Layout Division's Tawarekere.

Construction in two months; maintenance for five years

As per the Swachh Bharat guidelines, 'Easy Toilets are being built under the title of 'New Generation Toilets', which are open defecation free (ODF) and environment-friendly. The toilets are being built in a precast model in two months. The contractor who builds the Easy Toilets has been given a contract to maintain them for five years. The public will not have to pay any money for the use of Easy Toilets. The BBMP will bear the maintenance costs including electricity and water to the contractor,' said engineers from the Health and Sanitation Department.

• 40; Easy toilets to be built in the city
• ₹70 lakh; Cost of construction per toilet
• ₹28.12 crore; Construction and maintenance for five years
• 4; Men's urinals
• 3; Western commode for men
• 3; Western commode for women
• 1; Western commode for English people
• 1; Western commode for gender minorities

593 sq ft; Total area of ​​Easy toilets

382 sq ft; Building construction area

205 sq ft; Common use area

Lack of space: Vikas Kishore

'The intention is to build eco-friendly, high-tech toilets everywhere. However, there is a shortage of space. In some areas, people object to the fact that toilets are not needed here. However, Easy toilets are eco-friendly and do not cause any inconvenience to the people around them. "The locations will be identified as soon as possible and all the toilets will be constructed and made available for use by the end of this year," said Surolkar Vikas Kishore, Special Commissioner, Health and Sanitation Department.

Vacant site: No action taken for cleaning

 BBMP: Notice not implemented even though order was issued seven months ago, no fine imposed

Vacant site: No action taken for cleaning

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: A seven-day deadline was given for cleaning vacant sites in the city, but even after seven months, the waste, plants and fences have not been cleared from the sites. The problems for neighbors are increasing.

A notice should be issued to the owners to clear the plants and fences and waste from vacant sites. If they do not take action within a week, the corporation itself should conduct the clearance operation and the cost and fine should be included in the property tax, Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath had issued an order in August 2024.

A new order was issued under the Solid Waste Management Rules-2016, Solid Waste Management By-Law 2020 and BBMP Act 2020 to collect fines and disposal costs from the owners for waste disposal from vacant plots. However, there is no action in most parts of the city regarding this.

In many parts of the city, vacant plots are not clean. Some have built compounds, but they are not particularly clean. People from neighboring areas or those traveling in vehicles throw away waste. Plants and bushes have grown. Due to the presence of waste, the menace of dogs, cats, rats and mice has increased. In some areas, vacant plots have also become a haven for snakes, creating anxiety for the neighbors.

‘There are many vacant plots in and around our block. Someone has thrown away waste in these plots. Plants and bushes have grown. This causes a foul smell to the residents of the neighborhood, and stray dogs are fighting for food. No one is removing the waste. Even after complaining to the BBMP, it has not been of any use,” complained T.E. Srinivas of Jayanna Layout in R.R. Nagar.

“We have a vacant plot adjacent to our house. They throw garbage there. The builders of the surrounding buildings have been bringing the waste there overnight and dumping it. No one is admitting their mistake. If you ask the owner of the plot, he says, ‘I cleaned it last month, what should I do?’ The BBMP must take strict action regarding the cleanliness of the vacant plot,” demanded Gowdaiah of Ullalu Main Road.

What are the steps that the authorities have to take as per the BBMP order?

• * A notice should be given to the owner with a specific period of seven days to  or clear the waste in the vacant site
• * If the owner fails to comply with the directions, the corporation should clear the waste in the site. Its cost and penalty should be mentioned in a separate table in the property tax demand notice and paid to the property owner within seven days.
• * The penalty and cost should be entered in the property tax books. It should be entered as the outstanding amount along with the property tax collection and collected.
• * In case of failure to pay within the specified period, the Zonal Commissioner should also levy applicable interest.

‘Zonal officers should take action’

‘The health department is no longer responsible for waste disposal management. Bangalore Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) should take action for waste disposal in the sites. Local engineers should serve notices to the owners and take action to collect the fine and clearance costs from them. "The Zonal Commissioner should take action," said Surolkar Vikas Kishore, Special Commissioner of Health and Sanitation Department, BBMP.

‘Greater Bengaluru’ administration in the hands of GBA

 BBMP split by ‘Greater Bengaluru Administration Bill’, power in hands of authority

‘Greater Bengaluru’ administration in the hands of GBA

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: The power of local bodies in the urban district will be curtailed, and all types of projects, financial power, and complete control of administration will come under the control of the ‘Greater Bengaluru Authority’ (GBA).

The ‘Greater Bengaluru Administration Bill- 2024’ has been approved in the legislature, according to which the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will be split. Many gram panchayats adjoining the BBMP boundaries are also expected to be included in the GBA. There is a possibility of creating seven urban municipalities with 150 wards each within the GBA. Thus, instead of being split or divided, the BBMP will be abolished.

According to the bill, not only the Bengaluru urban district, but also the areas notified by the government, including the areas of the Bengaluru rural district, will come under the jurisdiction of the GBA. Thus, there is a possibility that the GBA will include the areas of Ramanagara district along with the urban district and rural districts.

The ‘Joint Scrutiny Committee of the Legislative Assembly’, which examined the bill, has also suggested that ‘the economically strong Gram Panchayats of the urban district can also be included in the GBA’. Therefore, the scope of the GBA will be expanded as per the notifications issued by the government from time to time.

As per the 74th Amendment to the Constitution, the GBA will exercise most of the powers that the urban corporations should have. The bill also gives the GBA the power to perform the administrative functions of the urban corporations and exercise its powers.

The GBA will finalize the general cadre and appointment rules for the urban corporations. The GBA will also appoint Group A and Group B employees. Although C and D employees can be appointed by the Commissioners of the urban corporations, no disciplinary action can be taken against them. The responsibilities of preparing the city plan, which are given to the municipal corporation in Article 243 ZE of the Constitution, have also been given to the ‘Bengaluru Mahanagara Yojana Samiti’ (BMPC) to be formed under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister.

Who will be in the GBA?

The Chief Minister will be the ex-officio chairman of the ‘Greater Bengaluru Authority’. The Bengaluru Development Minister will be the vice-chairman, and the MLAs from the assembly constituencies under the GBA will be the members. The Chief Commissioner of GBA will be the member secretary. Members of Municipal Corporations, BDA Commissioner, Bangalore Water Board Chairman, BMTC, Namma Metro, BESCOM Managing Director, District Collector, Police Commissioner, Chief Executive Officer of Bangalore Metropolitan Road Transport Authority, Managing Director of Bangalore Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML), Chief Town Planner of GBA, Chief Engineer, Director of State Fire and Emergency Services, Commissioners of Municipal Corporations, members of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Vidhan Sabha, Legislative Council from GBA jurisdiction, representatives of Traffic Police, Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation, Lake Conservation and Development Board will be members. Also, the government can make an officer of any agency or department as a member.

Unconstitutional: Padmanabhareddy

‘Part IXA of the Constitution gives power to local bodies from Article 243P to Article 243ZG. Instead, there is no provision in the law to create an authority through the ‘Greater Bangalore Administration Bill-2024’ and give it powers,’ said Padmanabhar Reddy, former leader of the ruling party of BBMP.

‘The Chief Minister, who claims to be the heir of the Constitution, should immediately hold elections to BBMP to uphold democracy. The Constitution should be respected. Once the people’s representatives are elected to BBMP, they should be given the opportunity to discuss and advise on what is necessary for the administration of the city,’ he said.

‘2,500 tonnes of mixed waste landfilled every day’

 275 crore liquid waste treatment took three and a half years; ₹474 crore cost: Tushar Girinath

‘2,500 tonnes of mixed waste landfilled every day’

• Processing unit on 100 acres near Terrafarm in Doddaballapur
• Another unit on 100 acres of land given to Nice Road in Gollarahalli

Bengaluru: About one thousand tonnes of waste is being processed within the BBMP limits, and about 2,500 tonnes of mixed waste is being landfilled, said BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath.

The problem that arose in the Mittaganahalli-Kannur landfill area has been resolved, he informed reporters on Monday.

The problem was due to lack of communication between the locals of Mittaganahalli and Kannur and the contractors and officials. Work is being undertaken for the development of villages at a cost of ₹500 crore. He said that the work will start immediately after issuing the work order.

Garbage is being disposed of at night at Mittaganahalli landfill, and steps will be taken to dispose of it during the day as well. He said that minor problems have been resolved.

About 275 crore liters of liquid waste (leachate) is collected at Mittaganahalli landfill, and it will cost ₹474 crore to process it. A tender will be called for it soon. There are currently two 50 KLD liquid waste treatment plants in Mittaganahalli. If they are processed, it will take more than ten years. He explained that two MLD treatment plants will be set up and processed in three and a half years.

A tender was called for solid waste management as a new project. Few people participated in that tender. A tender is being called again after removing some elements. A new 100-acre area for solid waste disposal has been finalized near Terrafarm in Doddaballapur. The government has 50 acres of land and about 65 acres are being purchased from private parties. Also, 100 acres of land given to Nice Road near Gollarahalli is being acquired. If the units start at both these places, integrated solid waste disposal and processing will begin, said Tushar.

Mittaganahalli landfill : 300 crore liters of Leachate collected

 Daily hell for the people of Mittaganahalli, Bellahalli, groundwater polluted 

Mittaganahalli landfill : 300 crore liters of Leachate collected

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: The Mittaganahalli landfill area has been filled with more than 300 crore liters of liquid waste (leachate) due to the waste that has been dumped for about nine years. This has increased health problems in the surrounding villages and has also poisoned the groundwater.

The mixed waste collected in all 198 wards of Bengaluru and the remaining waste in the processing units is being dumped in the Mittaganahalli landfill area through more than 500 compactors. 

Every day from 6 am to 6 pm, compactors line up and dump the waste. leachate continues to pour out from the compactors that stand in a row. Liquid waste is dumped along the one and a half km road from Bellahalli Cross to Mittaganahalli landfill. Although it is a dirt road, it has turned darker in color than the asphalt. 

All types of waste have been dumped in the landfill for more than nine years. After the waste is dumped, construction waste is placed on top of it, but the leachate is flowing into four nearby ditches. Although it appears to be garbage on the surface, the liquid waste is filled to a depth of more than 50 feet. 

The Bellahalli lake, which is located near the Mittaganahalli landfill, is filled with leachatee. People living nearby are afraid to even touch its water. Thousands of people live in many large apartments behind this lake. They have to endure the stench of garbage every day. Also, health problems are increasing. 

‘leachate is flowing in Kannur Lake, Chikkagubbi Lake, Doddagubbi Lake and Rampur Lake, including Bellahalli Lake. All these lakes used to provide drinking water to people and livestock. But now, the water here is untouchable,’ said Ramachandrappa, a resident of Bellahalli.

‘When the problem increases, we protest. Some officials come and patch things up. The same problem again. No one has been providing a permanent solution to the problem for four years,’ complained Nagaraju of Bande Hosur.

‘Waste has been being disposed of scientifically in the Mittaganahalli landfill area for many years. The State Pollution Control Board report says that liquid waste is not entering the lakes,’ BSWML officials responded.

Elderly people suffer more

‘Locals are suffering from various diseases due to drinking water from wells. Chest pain, including dental and lung problems, is also being seen. When patients go to the doctor, they say that the problem is caused by water. leachate is getting into the borewells, which is causing such problems. Many residents, including children from Mittaganahalli, Bellahalli, and Bande Hosur, are experiencing health problems. The elderly are in more trouble,' said Gram Panchayat member Byre Gowda.

It is enough to transport the leachate from here!

'Croons of liters of leachate should be transported from here first. This is what is causing us the most problems. The amount of liquid waste in the Mittaganahalli landfill area is increasing day by day. Along with the foul smell, liquid waste is getting into the surrounding lakes. leachate is also getting into the groundwater, increasing the problem of drinking water. The unscientific disposal should be stopped,' said Kannur Gram Panchayat President S. Ashok.

Non-functioning leachate treatment plant

BBMP has set up a leachate treatment plant at the Mittaganahalli landfill as per the plan. However, this unit has been idle for many years and is like a dilapidated building. All the pipes installed around it have been torn down.

Lakhs of litres of leachate are produced in this landfill every day. A leachate treatment plant has been set up at a cost of tens of crores to process it. Since it is not functioning, liquid waste has filled up four ditches, each more than 50 feet deep.

Kannur Gram Panchayat blocks Garbage Dumping

 Compactors filled with waste lined up at Mittaganahalli, Bellahalli landfills

Kannur Gram Panchayat blocks Garbage Dumping 

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: More than 300 compactors that collect waste from many parts of the city are not empty. As compactors have been lined up at the Mittaganahalli landfill for two days, waste is filling up the city's roads.

'Waste is being disposed of unscientifically, and the surrounding environment is being damaged. Liquid waste (leachate) is coming out more and more, and the surrounding lakes, ditches, wells, and borewells are also polluted. This impurity is getting mixed in the daily water and is having a bad effect on health. Therefore, stop the unscientific waste disposal,' Kannur Gram Panchayat members are campaigning.

‘BBMP has been disposing of garbage in the government cowshed of Mittaganahalli village for nine years. But without taking care of the environment here, they have not fulfilled the promise made before starting the disposal. Therefore, we will not allow compactors to landfill waste,’ said Kannur Gram Panchayat President S. Ashok, members led by Ashok blocked the path of the compactors.

‘We have complained to Bangalore Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) about this, but to no avail. The liquid waste flowing from the Mittaganahalli landfill area has polluted Bellahalli Lake, Kannur Lake, Chikkagubbi Lake, Dodda Gubbi Lake and Rampur Lake, and thousands of fish are dying. The groundwater has been contaminated. They have complained that dozens of health problems are being faced by local residents and have also written to the state government's Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, requesting action.

Inside the Mittaganahalli landfill area and up to Bellahalli, Bellahalli Cross, compactors filled with waste have been lined up for two days. There is a problem of foul smell here every day, and the foul smell has increased further since the compactors are parked.

No water, no food: drivers

"They are not allowing waste disposal since Tuesday morning. Hundreds of compactors are standing on the road. They are not leaving, they are not there. They have not been able to eat since yesterday. This is a deserted area. They do not get food or water. If you need anything, you have to walk two km. What happened here on Monday night was terrible," the compactor drivers lamented.

‘We were standing near Bellahalli Cross on Tuesday morning, sir. This morning (Tuesday), some compactors went inside. However, no compactor is leaving the weighing gate,’ he said.

‘About 25 compactors that disposed of waste at the Mittaganahalli landfill on Tuesday morning have been prevented from leaving. The way to and from the compactor has been blocked,’ the drivers said.

Fierce struggle if scientific disposal is not done: Ashok

‘Waste is being dumped unscientifically at the Mittaganahalli landfill. Animal waste, medical waste, toxic waste from factories are also being brought here and dumped. A body was also found along with the waste. A complaint was made to BSWML Chief General Manager Lokesh about this, but to no avail. Waste disposal has been prevented because garbage is not being disposed of scientifically. No one has come to talk to us. If our request is not met, the villagers and educational institutions will fight,” said Kannur Gram Panchayat President S. Ashok.

Unnecessary trouble: Lokesh

‘In Mittaganahalli, waste is being disposed of in the same way as landfills were used in the past years. There is no difference. However, some people have unnecessarily caused trouble and blocked the compactors. Talks are being held with them,’ said BSWML Chief General Manager Lokesh.

‘They are saying that the production of liquid waste (leachate) in the landfill area is high and the lakes are polluted. However, according to the report given by the State Pollution Control Board, no liquid waste is entering the lakes. We are disposing of waste scientifically. The body was not found in our landfill area. It is where construction waste is dumped. It has nothing to do with waste,’ he said.

Waste left in autos

As compactors filled with waste have been stopped at the Mittaganahalli landfill, waste collected from homes in many areas of the city is left in autos. 

Around 400 compactors were disposing of waste at the Mittaganahalli landfill every day from 6 am to 6 pm. This disposal did not take place on Tuesday and Wednesday. The compactors did not come out. Thus, the waste remains in autos in the city, creating a foul smell on the roads.

‘There is a problem in some areas of the city due to the waste not being landfilled in Mittaganahalli. We can manage it for the next two days. After that, there will be a problem,’ said BSWML Chief General Manager Lokesh.