Knock, knock, BBMP! Post heavy rain, garbage piles up across Bengaluru

NT Bengaluru: Incessant rain over recent days has thrown Bengaluru's waste management system into disarray, leaving garbage piling up in areas such as Lalbagh, Wilson Garden, Shantinagar, Mariyapan Palya, and Jarganahalli near Jayanagar. Overflowing waste at the Lalbagh West Gate, and Tilak Nagar where trucks have been unable to unload garbage, has worsened the backlog, causing frustration among residents across the city. Residents in these affected areas are struggling to cope with the mounting waste.

Chandrashekar, a resident of BTS Road near Wilson Garden, shared, “We had to bring our trash back inside for the last three days as collection vehicles haven’t shown up.” Nagarjun Reddy, a resident of Tilak Nagar noted problems in VV Puram and Wilson Garden, saying, “Garbage is piling up on roads, clogging drains and leading to waterlogging.” The logistical challenges caused by rainfall have compounded the issues faced by waste collection teams.

With roads flooded and pathways turned to mud, garbage collectors face difficulties navigating areas like Wilson Garden and Jayanagar. “It’s difficult for our vehicles to reach the dump yard, and every delay in dumping adds to the backlog, making door-to-door collection impossible,” explained Basavaraj Kabade, Chief General Manager of Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML).