Only 30% of Bengaluru Vacant Sites Cleaned Despite Directives, Says Minister

Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda announced on Thursday that only 30% of vacant sites in the city have been cleaned by their owners, despite directives issued by the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) one-and-a-half months ago. The minister made the remarks in Domlur, where he launched an official cleaning drive targeting neglected plots.

The GBA will collect cleaning and transportation charges directly from property owners alongside their property tax, while repeat offenders will face penalties. Byre Gowda urged site owners to clean their properties independently rather than waiting for civic authorities to intervene, noting that private cleaning is more cost-effective.

Overgrown weeds and unattended vegetation on vacant plots have created widespread civic and health issues across neighborhoods, turning untended spaces into breeding grounds for mosquitoes, flies, rats, and snakes. Byre Gowda stated that the municipal drive was initiated to address these sanitation hazards and maintain overall cleanliness in the city.

The minister stated that he would personally send letters of appreciation to citizens who have proactively cleared their plots. He also explained that cleaning charges have been determined in accordance with the Schedule of Rates (SR rate) based on the dimensions of each site.

Detailing the logistics of the ongoing municipal operation, Byre Gowda noted that waste from these plots is currently being transported only once a day due to restrictions on the movement of tipper trucks. Since the launch of the broader "Freedom from Waste" campaign on August 1, the GBA has cleared a total of 67,152 tonnes of construction and demolition debris across Bengaluru.