Cleanliness drive planned in Bengaluru, helpline for garbage complaints soon
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday announced that a large-scale cleanliness campaign will soon be launched in Bengaluru, as part of the government's efforts to give the city a 'new look' under the recently passed Greater Bengaluru Governance Act. The initiative includes a dedicated helpline for citizens to report garbage accumulation, which the BBMP will promptly clear.The announcement comes just weeks after the Karnataka government introduced a new garbage tax for Bengaluru residents. Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has implemented a Solid Waste Management (SWM) user fee, which is collected alongside the annual property tax. This fee is determined based on the built-up area of each property. These charges are annualized and added to the property tax bill, resulting in an increase ranging from Rs 120 to Rs 4,800 per year, depending on the property's size.advertisement'Greater Bengaluru will come into existence in just a few days. Following that, a city-wide cleanliness drive will be launched to remove garbage and build a cleaner Bengaluru. Through this initiative, Bengaluru will get a new look,' Shivakumar said at the foundation-laying ceremony of a 4 MLD water treatment plant by the Bangalore water supply and sewerage board (BWSSB) in Pulakeshinagar.
'The project whose foundation is being laid today will supply water to around 30,000 households and 2.5 lakh people. In this constituency, Rs 130 crore has been sanctioned for roadworks, Rs 43 crore for a flyover, Rs 320 crore for ward development, and a new flyover at a cost of Rs 650 crore,' Shivakumar said.He also announced that property records will be digitised and delivered to citizens' doorsteps free of cost, and a new scheme titled 'Nambike Naksha' (Trust Map) will make it easier for citizens to get plan approvals for 50x80 ft residential plots.advertisement'Through Greater Bengaluru, the city will be transformed. In the next two to three days, this will be rolled out. Soon after, a citywide cleanliness campaign will begin. A helpline will be provided by the corporation where citizens can report garbage accumulation, and it will be cleared. This will help create a clean Bengaluru,' he said.WATER ACCESS AND ANTI-MAFIA MEASURESShivakumar also highlighted the government's recent steps to tackle the water mafia and boost access to clean drinking water. 'Recently, through the Kaveri and Sanchaari Kaveri schemes, tanker water is being supplied to homes for Rs 650. This plan was launched to curb the tanker water mafia. Under this project, clean Cauvery water is being supplied to homes.''After I assumed office, the fifth stage of the Cauvery project was implemented, and an additional 6 TMC of water is now being supplied to Bengaluru. This will ensure drinking water supply for the next 30 to 40 years,' he said. Treated water is also being redirected to lakes in Nelamangala and Kolar, he said.Written by Disha Maloo
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