Bengaluru's rapid construction boom is driving significant development, but it has also led to challenges related to the improper disposal of construction debris, which often remains uncleared. In response, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has issued a directive stating that if debris is left uncleared after the completion of a project, the BBMP will take responsibility for its removal and deduct 150% of the cost from the final bills. This new policy was outlined by BBMP Commissioner Tushar Girinath in an official order.
The order mandates that contractors must clear debris from ongoing projects and ensure compliance through regular monitoring by officials. Additionally, contractors are required to prevent debris generation once a project is completed. The Commissioner emphasised that these instructions must be implemented immediately and strictly followed by all zonal commissioners, joint commissioners, chief engineers, executive engineers, assistant executive engineers, and assistant engineers. Nodal officers have been appointed from the ranks of jurisdictional executive engineers and assistant executive engineers to oversee the implementation of this directive.
The BBMP has also released new guidelines, aligned with its Solid Waste Management (SWM) Bye-Laws. According to Section 15 (2) of the BBMP SWM Bye-Laws 2020, the disposal of solid waste by burning on any premises, roadsides, or any private or public property, including vacant sites, is strictly prohibited, with penalties for violators. The bye-laws also prohibit the disposal of solid waste in public places, including water bodies, and the dumping of solid waste or construction and demolition (C&D) waste in non-designated locations. The BBMP is empowered to serve notices to waste generators or occupiers of premises, and if they fail to clear the waste, the BBMP will do so and recover the costs, along with imposing penalties of up to Rs. 50,000 for violations.
BBMP officials highlighted that under the powers granted by the SWM Rules-2016, SWM Bye-Laws 2020, and the BBMP Act 2020, zonal offices are required to identify all vacant sites, plots, and public places where solid waste, C&D waste, or other unsanitary conditions are present, including areas with harmful vegetation or trees that pose a health risk or are offensive to the community. Penalties will be imposed based on the specific violations outlined in Schedule VII of the SWM Bye-Laws.
Notices will be issued to responsible parties, giving them seven days to clear the site. If they fail to comply, the BBMP will take action to clear the area and issue a PT recovery notice. This notice will detail the penalty and costs incurred for the cleanup, as well as the fine for non-compliance. The recipient will then have another seven days to make the payment.
