Bengaluru to Launch Citywide Debris Clearance Initiative on August 1

Debris and Waste to Be Cleared from Bengaluru Streets Starting August 1

Starting August 1, Bengaluru will launch a citywide initiative to clear construction debris (C&D) and inert waste from streets and footpaths under the "Freedom from Waste" drive. This follows the successful "Safe Footpath" campaign initiated by the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) on July 1. Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Ltd. (BSWML) has developed a dedicated app, Clearit, to streamline the process.

22,000+ Tonnes of Waste Identified

Ward engineers have been instructed to geotag waste dumps in their areas and upload photos on the Clearit app. BSWML will then oversee the removal of these waste piles. The GBA has already identified eight land parcels, spanning 57 acres on the city's outskirts, to serve as dumping sites. According to a recent estimate, the city currently has 22,372 tonnes of C&D and inert waste scattered across its streets.

Parastatals Ordered to Clear Their Sites

Government agencies such as the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL), and Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) have been directed to remove waste from their civil work sites and transport it to the designated land parcels. A circular issued by GBA Chief Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao emphasized the importance of compliance with these measures.

Broader Clean-Up Efforts Planned

The Freedom from Waste drive will also focus on cleaning public spaces, including bus stops, skywalks, flyovers, underpasses, and places of worship. Ward and zonal officials have been tasked with conducting special cleaning drives in these areas. Additionally, the GBA has called for collaboration with educational institutions to promote zero-waste campaigns, alongside routine solid waste management practices.

This initiative aims to address the growing issue of urban waste and improve public spaces across Bengaluru.

Source: The Hindu