No public-friendly markets or market-friendly waste disposal in Bengaluru
Trapped in the muck is a system that is critical for lakhs of Bengalureans to keep their kitchens afloat. The ugly sight repeats in markets across the city. From Banashankari Market on Kanakapura Road to the HAL Market off Old Airport Road, from Malleswaram to Madiwala, the neglect is stark. But the issues go far beyond big gaps in waste management.
Poor maintenance and infrastructural gaps have, for instance, left the once thriving HAL Market in a sorry state today. Yes, the huge wet waste pile right inside the market is symbolic of all that has gone wrong. But walk in deeper, and the full extent of the poor upkeep becomes obvious. The pathways are barely walkable, filled with slush after every rain. Beyond the busy weekends that exacerbate the chaos, the market is virtually empty on weekdays.
Haphazard waste management
Bengaluru Praja Vedike founder Mukunda N.S. says that poor waste management is the fundamental problem with the markets. 'The waste has to be cleared effectively, not in a haphazard manner,' he says. 'There should be a permanent mechanism in all the markets, where the waste is cleared every two hours. The frequency should be even higher during festival times. The waste collectors should be stationed there itself,' he elaborates.
The market waste, he says, should be transported to the processing centres through a system that is infallible. 'The BBMP is now charging a fee for Solid Waste Management from everybody, including bulk generators. Let them collect and use the money there. The waste collection and transport process should be monitored by a committee. Some checks and balances have to be devised to ensure payment only after satisfactory completion of the work.'
Trash is a big problem at the Banashankari open market, which extends on the footpath along the Kanakpura Road between two Metro Stations. The waste accumulates by the hour, but is cleared only twice a day or less. To streamline waste collection and address congestion and chaos, the Praja Vedike had suggested building an underground plaza at Banashankari Circle with space for 150 stalls and eight exits. But this proposal made to former Minister R. Ashoka was not followed up, recalls Mukunda.
Rampant use of plastic
The rampant use of plastic has emerged as a key issue with the markets. Shanthi Tummala, a founding member of the HSR Citizen's Forum and a member of the Solid Waste Management Round Table (SWMRT), says plastic was the main pain point why she stopped going to the Madiwala market. 'It has been nine years since the plastic ban came into force, in 2016. I don't understand why the markets are not getting rid of plastic. As a sustainability practitioner and motivator, I feel de-motivated and depressed,' she laments.
The solution is simple, she notes. 'All vendors should come on one page and say they will not give plastic covers. Within a week, the change will come. Most people who come to the markets are regular customers who buy vegetables for the entire week. Once they realise they don't get plastic covers, they will get their own bags. Besides, a stall should sell cloth and paper bags. Let customers spend ₹20-30, and get that bag every time.'
Pushcart vendors, Shanthi points out, save ₹3,000 per month when they don't give plastic covers. 'Imagine how much the Madiwala market vendors can save. What is required is they should all come on one page. They should make it a habit.'
Process wet waste locally
Besides, the wet waste generated should be processed locally, right inside the market premises. As she puts it, 'A strict initiative should be launched. Tax payers' money should be spent on sustainable waste management. Let them take up composting or biogas or whatever. Let them take it as a challenge and install this in one market as a pilot to start with.'
Lack of a planned, structured approach has left several open markets morph into chaotic congestion magnets. Crying out for attention are markets in Hebbal and K.R. Puram, where wholesale supply vehicles, heavy traffic and vendor outlets trigger extreme congestion. 'Located right next to the main road, the Hebbal market is very crowded. And with the flyover and Metro works in progress, the entire place is dirty, disorganised and in a big mess,' says Shabina Jinarajan, a Hebbal resident and teacher, stressing on the dire need for segregated markets with proper parking and waste clearance.
Underground market issues
An underground market – an air-conditioned one at that – opened with much fanfare in Vijayanagar, has run into problems. Modeled after New Delhi's iconic Palika Bazar, the city's Palike Bazar has reportedly been taken over by more than 25 vendors without official allotment by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). Built at a cost of ₹13 crore, the market was opened to the public in August 2024.
But nobody goes there, notes Vinay K. Sreenivasa from the Alternative Law Forum, a long-time campaigner for vendor rights and welfare. 'It is an absolute waste. The market has no proper ventilation or proper toilets. They had cut many trees to build that. Instead of the money spent on the AC structure, they could have refurbished the roadside market next to the Metro Station for about ₹50 lakh,' he contends. The old market had grown organically over the last three decades with local residents as the main customers.
Most of the Palike's built markets are now being demolished. 'They are trying to build multi-storied markets, which is not working. In Malleswaram, they demolished the flower market. It was old but could have been refurbished. It was open and had air circulation. Now, how will you sell flowers in a multi-storied building? Who will climb three floors to buy flowers? The building is now incomplete, and the vendors are on the road. They were shopkeepers before. They also demolished the market near Cox Town,' notes Vinay.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Many Bengalureans are growing their own fruits and vegetables
MV Ramani has turned her little yard into an orchard, vibrant and bountiful, despite constraints of space, time, and water. Nature has been kind to her, rewarding her with star fruits that match the size of her palm. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The garden is dotted with fig, guava and pomegranate trees, and serves as a sanctuary for bees and butterflies. Ramani maintains a terrace garden too, where she cultivates vegetables including tomato, brinjal, chillies, gourds and greens. Even her fruit plants like guava and Indian jujubes are grown on funky, fluorescent blue pots. 'We had a farm, and between farm and home, we used to grow everything that we eat. Wherever there is space, I fill it with greenery,' says Ramani, a legal professional who works as a partner at LexOrbis. Her husband T Suvarna Raju, former chairman & MD of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), is a plant lover too and he helps Ramani with smart gardening solutions using his engineering skills. Urban farming is a different ball game altogether. Growing plants in city spaces demands a lot of patience, dedication and care. Sourcing affordable soil, seeds or cow dung for fertilisation itself can sometimes prove difficult. Property owners frequently object to tenants placing heavy pots on rooftops. Issues with water seepage and stains may arise, if care is not taken. And pests do not spare even plants grown on the 20th floor of residential buildings. However, amid all these challenges, many Bengalureans are taking up farming. They cultivate fruits and vegetables in their gardens, balconies and rooftop spaces. 'Urban farming is becoming more than a trend. It's a movement,' says Ramita Maharjan, resident of Brigade Millennium in JP Nagar. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'More and more people are growing their own food on rooftops in search of better health, peace of mind and a deeper connection with nature,' she adds. Hand-pollination Anand Havaldar's garden is a testament to his resourcefulness. The 51-year-old who works as a senior engineer at Nexteer Automotive India cultivates a variety of plants, including Brahma Kamal, in his terrace garden. The night-blooming flower would fill Anand's garden with its sweet fragrance, but would not produce fruits. 'The plant remained barren as pollination never happened,' says Anand, who holds a diploma in agriculture from the Gandhi Krishi Vigyana Kendra (GKVK). Anand overcame the challenge by hand pollinating – taking pollen from one Brahma Kamal plant to the other. Soon, it bore fruits, bringing him much joy, and earning him stardom among local gardeners. Water, air, coco peat, instead of soil Water and coco peat are extensively used instead of traditional soil as a growing medium. Coco peat's moisture retention capabilities reduce watering frequency, points out Bhuvana Sharma, a scientist who works with GKVK's National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS). 'Coco peat is lightweight too, making it easy to handle,' she says. Usha Gopinath, a former IT professional, uses coco peat to grow microgreens. 'I grow ragi, wheat, chia seed, mustard, red radish, and fenugreek microgreens,' says the 44-year-old who lives in Pearl City in Sarjapur, adding, 'It's hard to get children to eat vegetables. I just sneak those tiny plants into their toasts, salads and soups and they devour it.' Some microgreens, Bhuvana says, are 40% more nutritious than their mature counterparts. Microgreens can be cultivated on moist tissue papers as well. These baby plants can typically be harvested a week or two after germination. 'All you have to do is water them 4-5 times a day. Avoid overwatering. Microgreens don't require manure,' says Usha. Dav Fod, a former assistant professor of sociology, grows over 12 varieties of microgreens including wheat grass. Aeroponics, a method wherein plant roots are suspended in the air and provided nutrient solutions, rather than relying on soil, is also gaining popularity. 'There are farms in and around Bengaluru trying different techniques like this. Aeroponics allows for the cultivation of a wide variety of plants, including leafy greens, vegetables, herbs, and even some fruits. This technique is particularly well-suited for crops like lettuce, spinach, basil, tomatoes, and strawberries,' says Dav. A forest in a yard Neelima Gudipati lives in an independent house in Margodanahalli where she maintains a garden with plants growing in containers and soil beds. Her wild and untamed garden has mango, ginger, mulberry, guava, pear, lemon, banana, tomato, manathakkali, star fruit, dragon fruit, Chinese potato and brinjal. She also grows leafy vegetables such as coriander, amaranthus and Malabar spinach. Her children, Suhas and Sahaj, particularly enjoy the passion fruit juice, chikoo almond milk shake, star fruit salad and flat beans palya that she makes using homegrown produce. Neelima creates an environment that mirrors natural forest conditions, allowing fallen leaves and branches to form a protective layer on the ground. This helps the soil retain moisture. Termites in the garden help decompose the twigs. 'Nature sustains forests without human intervention,' she tells us as we stroll through her garden. Neelima leaves her pomegranates unharvested for local wildlife. "Squirrels and birds visit regularly to feast on these fruits," she says. VOICE BOX Wherever there is space, I fill it with greenery. Like me, all the urban gardeners face the constraints of space, as well as water, especially in summers. Despite these, we are trying to grow whatever and wherever we can. Hydroponics and aquaponics are making their way into balconies. We have an aquaponics set up where the technology allows the water from the fishpond to be circulated to grow plants and recycled to the pond. MV Ramani, LEGAL PROFESSIONAL AND RESIDENT AT CASCADING MEADOWS, TC PALYA During the construction of the Tungabhadra dam, my grandfather relocated from his village, bringing his cherished plants with him. The curry leaf plants I now have are descendants of those original plants, being at least 100 years old. For nourishing my plants, I rely on vermicompost and kitchen compost as fertilisers. My dragon fruit plant produces up to 70 fruits annually. I source my gardening supplies from Bio Centre, a government organisation. When I'm away, I water my plants using a drip irrigation system equipped with a pump and timer. Anand Havaldar, 51, SENIOR ENGINEER AT NEXTEER AUTOMOTIVE INDIA Over the years, I've learnt a lot about plant cultivation. I grow nitrogen-fixing plants around my papaya trees. When you prune nitrogen-fixing plants, they release nitrogen into the soil as they no longer require it after being cut. This released nitrogen gets absorbed into the soil, becoming available for the papaya plant to utilise. This helps the papaya plant become healthier. This process serves as a natural alternative to the conventional NPK fertilisers typically used in cultivation. I nurture my plants with a lot of love. I communicate with them, show them tenderness and kiss them. When I collect their produce, I thank them. I think plants experience joy when raindrops first touch them, and observing this is a delight. I love waking up to the sight of morning dew adorning their foliage. I follow sustainable gardening practices. I use organic manure including dry leaves, cow dung, coco peat and jeevamruta. Neelima Gudipati, RESIDENT, CASCADING MEADOWS, MARGODANAHALLI Microgreens can be easily grown without the use of pesticides and chemical fertilisers. I cultivate a dozen different varieties, and coco peat serves as my preferred growing medium. Dav Fod, URBAN FARMER As we farm, we see how birds, butterflies, and animals become part of the ecosystem. They too are nourished, and we begin to understand that farming is not possible without them. We realise we need them far more than they need us. Nature thrives without humans, but we cannot survive without her. Through this journey, we learn gratitude, compassion, sharing, and interdependence – values that we then pass on to the next generation. Ramita Maharjan, RESIDENT OF BRIGADE MILLENNIUM AND MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF RISHIPATH WELLNESS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE AT THAMMAPURAM I started growing plants very recently. I grow microgreens. My ground cultivation includes spinach, pudina, brinjal, chilli, curry leaves and bitter gourd. For nourishment, I provide my plants with crushed eggshells, banana peel juice, powdered vegetable peels and rice water. I also utilise garlic extract as a natural defence against plant ailments. Tending to these plants brings me immense satisfaction! Usha Gopinath, 44, FORMER IT PROFESSIONAL, LIVES IN SARJAPUR My garden has evolved from flowering plants to include fruits and vegetables. The fruit varieties I cultivate include sapota, guava, pomegranate, apple, fig, dragon fruit, papaya, mulberry and grapes. Vegetables include tomato, chillies, lady's finger, greens, brinjal, drum stick, bitter gourd, Chinese potato, and chow chow. I maintain flowering plants amongst the vegetables as they are essential for facilitating pollination. I use lightweight containers such as plastic pots and grow bags for easier handling. The potting mix can be made less heavy by incorporating cocopeat, leaf mould, rice husk and reduced soil quantity. For nourishment, I use kitchen compost and various nutrient solutions prepared from onion peel, potato peel, banana peel and similar ingredients. Due to water scarcity, I rely on aero outlet water and STP water. I make pots out of old cans and bottles. Preetha Suresh, 57, FORMER BANKER, AND RESIDENT, TC PALYA
Hans India
27-07-2025
- Hans India
Committed to increasing footpaths: BBMP chief commissioner Rao
Bengaluru: BBMPchief commissioner Maheshwar Rao on Saturday reaffirmed the civic body's commitment to improving walkability by expanding pedestrian infrastructure. He was speaking at the launch of a report on Saturday that detailed two years of collaborative efforts to transform one of the city's most critical urban corridors—the 7.5 km stretch of the Inner Ring Road, from Indiranagar to Koramangala. A project by the Bangalore Political Action Committee (B PAC), an NGO that aims to improve governance in Bengaluru, the report titled 'IRR Street: Standstill to Active' showcases the methodology, recommendations, implementation status, and impact of citizen-led collaborations. 'If you increase the footpaths, you will definitely increase the carrying capacity. It will reduce many other issues and promote safety. This is something we are committed to,' added Rao, who also promised to allocate sufficient funds to support walkability initiatives. 'We believe that creating people-friendly streets requires ongoing collaboration, feedback, and accountability,' said Revathy Ashok, managing trustee and honorary CEO of B PAC. According to her, since June 2023, B PAC has worked closely with Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation, the Bengaluru Traffic Police, and the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited to improve bus reliability, walkability, and road safety through a data-driven and participatory process. 'This effort is not just about fixing one road—it's about proving that data, design, and dialogue can reshape public spaces to be safer, cleaner, and more accessible. We thank all our partners and volunteers and urge more Bengalureans to join us in making streets across the city truly people-centric,' she said. As part of the launch—which was attended by key figures in the civic volunteering space—B PAC also organised panel discussions with dignitaries and government representatives to discuss the next steps for implementing the recommendations outlined in the IRR report. According to the report, the 7.5-kilometre stretch of the IRR—from Indiranagar KFC Junction to Madiwala Masjid in Koramangala—has long struggled with traffic congestion, road safety issues, inadequate pedestrian access, missing crossings, and poor bus frequency. The IRR serves as a major connector between Koramangala, Domlur, Ejipura, and Indiranagar. It also connects to Indiranagar Metro Station, which sees the second-highest footfall in the city after Majestic. Some achievements of the citizen-led initiative include the addition of nine buses to the MF5 route (Indiranagar–Koramangala), resulting in 58 additional trips. Over 4,300 tonnes of debris, 130 construction barricades, and 129 tonnes of garbage were cleared from medians and footpaths along the stretch. To improve drainage and mitigate flooding, the report recommends constructing shoulder drains with kerb inlets (a component of the stormwater drainage system) every 5–7 metres—especially in flood-prone zones—instead of the current 30-metre intervals being implemented on site.
Hindustan Times
26-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Committed to increasing footpaths: BBMP chief commissioner Rao
Bengaluru, BBMP chief commissioner Maheshwar Rao on Saturday reaffirmed the civic body's commitment to improving walkability by expanding pedestrian infrastructure. He was speaking at the launch of a report on Saturday that detailed two years of collaborative efforts to transform one of the city's most critical urban corridors—the 7.5 km stretch of the Inner Ring Road, from Indiranagar to Koramangala. Committed to increasing footpaths: BBMP chief commissioner Rao A project by the Bengaluru Political Action Committee , an NGO that aims to improve governance in Bengaluru, the report titled 'IRR Street: Standstill to Active' showcases the methodology, recommendations, implementation status, and impact of citizen-led collaborations. "If you increase the footpaths, you will definitely increase the carrying capacity. It will reduce many other issues and promote safety. This is something we are committed to," added Rao, who also promised to allocate sufficient funds to support walkability initiatives. "We believe that creating people-friendly streets requires ongoing collaboration, feedback, and accountability," said Revathy Ashok, managing trustee and honorary CEO of B PAC. According to her, since June 2023, B PAC has worked closely with Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation, the Bengaluru Traffic Police, and the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited to improve bus reliability, walkability, and road safety through a data-driven and participatory process. "This effort is not just about fixing one road—it's about proving that data, design, and dialogue can reshape public spaces to be safer, cleaner, and more accessible. We thank all our partners and volunteers and urge more Bengalureans to join us in making streets across the city truly people-centric," she said. As part of the launch—which was attended by key figures in the civic volunteering space—B PAC also organised panel discussions with dignitaries and government representatives to discuss the next steps for implementing the recommendations outlined in the IRR report. According to the report, the 7.5-kilometre stretch of the IRR—from Indiranagar KFC Junction to Madiwala Masjid in Koramangala—has long struggled with traffic congestion, road safety issues, inadequate pedestrian access, missing crossings, and poor bus frequency. The IRR serves as a major connector between Koramangala, Domlur, Ejipura, and Indiranagar. It also connects to Indiranagar Metro Station, which sees the second-highest footfall in the city after Majestic. Some achievements of the citizen-led initiative include the addition of nine buses to the MF5 route , resulting in 58 additional trips. Over 4,300 tonnes of debris, 130 construction barricades, and 129 tonnes of garbage were cleared from medians and footpaths along the stretch. To improve drainage and mitigate flooding, the report recommends constructing shoulder drains with kerb inlets every 5–7 metres—especially in flood-prone zones—instead of the current 30-metre intervals being implemented on site. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
