New Year's bash leaves 15 tonnes of garbage, tragic fatalities

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: As the New Year’s celebrations wrapped up late on Wednesday in and around MG Road, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) collected 15 metric tonnes of garbage almost double the 8 tonnes collected during last year’s festivities. With the number of revellers on the rise, several stretches MG Road from Anil Kumble Circle to Brigade Junction, Brigade Road towards Hosur Road, Residency Road from St Joseph’s Law College to the War Memorial, and St Mark’s Road were left littered with waste.

A coordinated effort by Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited, BBMP East Zone officials, and pourakarmikas ensured the streets were cleared. Cleaning operations began as early as 3 am, and by 7 am, the streets were spotless, drawing appreciation from residents and early morning walkers. However, concerns have been raised over the reduced number of civic workers. While 80 workers handled last year’s post-celebration clean-up, this year’s team of around 70 workers managed a significantly heavier workload.

Out of the 15 tonnes of waste collected, 3 tonnes were sent to a dry waste collection unit for recycling. The clean-up operation involved 25 auto tippers and three compactors. To ensure thoroughness, 25 local volunteers walked a 7-km radius to identify and address overlooked areas.

4 dead, 8 injured in New Year’s Eve accidents: The festive spirit was marred by tragic accidents across Bengaluru, leaving four dead and eight injured early on Wednesday. In a fatal incident on Taverekere Road near Janata Colony, an Innova carrying a group of friends collided, killing Manju (31) and Kiran (30) on the spot. Six others sustained serious injuries and were rushed to hospital. Police disclosed that the group was returning to the city after a party on the outskirts.

In another accident near Sathanur Taluk in Kanakapura district, a car returning from a private resort collided with a stationary canter, resulting in the deaths of Niranjan (41) and Vishwanath (43). Closer to the city, revellers travelling from a New Year’s party in Koramangala met with an accident near the Bellandur Lake bend. Their car collided with an electric pole en route to Yemalur. The group suffered minor injuries and was rescued by locals and BBMP marshals. Bengaluru welcomed the New Year with renewed hope, but the night’s aftermath served as a stark reminder of the consequences of reckless celebration.