BSCC Orders Action Against Illegal C&D Waste Dumping in Bengaluru

Bengaluru South City Corporation Chief Engineer K.V. Ravi has announced that he will direct subordinates and marshals to maintain a strict vigil against the illegal dumping of construction and demolition waste in public places. The direction comes amidst growing concerns from residents and activists in areas such as Cambridge Layout, Domlur, and Halasuru regarding tractor drivers disposing of debris along storm water drains, lakes, and vacant plots rather than at designated processing sites in Kannur and Chikkajala.

An estimated 40,000 tractors operate across Bengaluru to transport waste and debris. While tipper trucks are typically engaged for larger construction projects, smaller building owners and middle-class households frequently depend on tractors to transport demolition waste. However, local residents report that many tractor drivers fail to reach the designated dumping locations, instead discharging waste into nearby water bodies, storm water drains, and private land.

Specific incidents of illegal dumping have recently surfaced across various neighborhoods. In one case, residents caught a tractor driver and a truck driver actively dumping construction waste along a storm water drain located between Cambridge Layout and Domlur. Srinivasa Murthy P., president of the Cambridge Layout Residents Welfare Association, stated that community members have repeatedly requested authorities to keep vigil on the site, but previous appeals yielded no action.

In Halasuru, social activist B.R. Chandran recently lodged a formal complaint with the Halasuru Police after witnessing individuals dumping waste along a storm water drain. According to Chandran, police officers summoned the offenders to the station but subsequently released them after issuing a stern warning. Meanwhile, heaps of waste and garbage have also accumulated on a plot allocated for the construction of the Masti Venkatesha Iyengar Trust in Jnanabharathi Layout.

Environmental and civic activists have highlighted similar dumping activities near major city water bodies. Lake activist Balaji Raghotham reported that tractor drivers and laborers regularly dump construction debris along Yele Mallappa Shetty Lake. Social activist H.K. Gowdaiah noted that vacant lands on the city outskirts and lakes under Gram Panchayats are frequently targeted due to a lack of monitoring personnel.

The widespread dumping continues despite a previous decision by the Bengaluru Traffic Police in February 2023 to ban tractor movement in the city. At the time, the municipal body engaged approximately 200 tractors, employing around 200 tractor drivers and 600 laborers for waste transportation. Following the recent complaints and video footage of dumping off Hosa Road, civic officials stated that marshals will now be deployed to monitor vulnerable locations and stop illegal dumping.