4 days ago
Why should we pay twice to dispose of waste? Bengaluru citizens ask as collectors demand cash on top of cess
Bengaluru: Solid waste in Bengaluru has become more than just garbage—it's now a service that many citizens claim they're being charged for twice. Whether it's residents in Indiranagar or hoteliers in Whitefield, a common question is echoing across the city: why are we paying both the BBMP and the garbage collectors?
For years, citizens, either willingly or unwillingly, have been handing over cash—ranging from Rs 50 to Rs 500 or more per month—to local waste collectors to ensure doorstep pickup.
Now, with the BBMP introducing a mandatory solid waste management (SWM) user fee as part of the property tax, confusion and frustration are mounting among the citizens, especially those who generate less than 100kg of garbage per day.
However, BBMP has clarified that the user fee was meant to replace informal payments and bring transparency in the system.
"People shouldn't pay anything extra to garbage collectors.
The cess is meant to eliminate unofficial charges. If someone demands money, residents should report it, and action will be taken," said Harish Kumar, CEO of Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Ltd.
But on the ground, it's a different story. Residents claim that unless they pay, their garbage isn't picked up. "We pay Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 a month, depending on the collector," said Shyamala James, a resident of Indiranagar.
"Earlier, it was rare. Now they ask directly. If we don't pay, they skip our house. And now BBMP wants cess on top of this? It feels like double taxation."
This informal system continues in many areas, largely due to fear. Missing the garbage truck can leave waste uncollected for days, leading to health concerns. Many residents feel they have no choice but to pay up or risk dumping waste illegally. The problem is even more acute for hotels and restaurants.
The BBMP's revised cess, effective April 1, 2025, is now calculated based on property size. Previously, hotels paid a flat Rs 1,200 a year.
Now, many report a tenfold increase.
"We're paying twice for the same service," said Subrahmanya Holla, president of the Bengaluru Hotels Association. "Margins are already tight, and this added burden is unsustainable."
Some hoteliers say their annual cess has jumped to Rs 15,000 or more, while they continue to pay Rs 5,000 monthly to waste collectors claiming to be BBMP vendors.
"We can't store garbage—it must go out daily. But if we don't pay, they don't collect," said a hotelier.
"So what's the point of the cess? We're being forced to choose between hygiene and compliance. There's no real system in place," said Arun Adiga, owner of Vidyarthi Bhavan, calling the situation unfair and coercive.
The Hotels Association has approached the high court, but the matter was deferred until after the court's vacation.
BBMP maintains that its waste collection is limited to two categories—bulk generators (producing over 100kg daily), who must manage their own waste, and regular door-to-door van collections. Officials claim that no private vendors have been appointed in the last three years.
However, the on-ground reality reflects a broken system, with residents and businesses caught between unofficial demands and official levies—paying more but getting less clarity and accountability.
