Latest news with #BengaluruSolidWasteManagementLtd
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
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.
Deccan Herald
25-05-2025
- Business
- Deccan Herald
One firm, five contracts in Bengaluru: Questions over Rs 2.2K crore waste deal
Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Ltd (BSWML) has awarded all contracts related to the collection and transportation of the city's construction and demolition (C&D) waste to a single private firm, raising concerns about favouritism. .Chaitra Civil Ventures LLP was the sole bidder for three key tenders, despite the presence of multiple transport service providers in the city. It also secured two additional contracts for processing construction debris. .The five contracts — the government-owned company's first long-term agreements of this scale — are valued at a staggering Rs 2,227 crore over a 15-year period. This translates to Rs 148.5 crore annually. .While the initiative aims to reduce illegal dumping and keep the city's lakes, drains and public spaces clear of debris, citizen groups are sceptical. They argue that assigning the entire responsibility to a single agency is impractical given the volume of waste generated citywide. They also question the government's commitment to decentralised governance, noting the irony of centralising such a critical civic function. .A senior BSWML official said there is an element of risk involved in the project as the private agency is responsible for collecting the service fee from waste collection tenders to be called in 33 packages: D K this year, BSWML had floated five tenders related to C&D waste management. Three of these were for the collection and transportation of debris to existing processing plants in Kannur and Chikkajala. The other two covered end-to-end operations, including processing of debris. .Although some tenders attracted up to five bidders, BSWML disqualified most of them on technical grounds. End result? All the contracts were awarded to a single agency, triggering questions. .The senior BSWML official, however, justified the decision. "We had floated the tenders in the e-procurement portal. What can we do if the response is low." .Sources told DH that Chaitra Ventures initially quoted around 69% above the estimated cost. However, following negotiations, it revised down its bid to align closely with the BSWML's estimates. .A retired BBMP official suggested that the contracts should have been split between collection/transportation and processing, given their distinct technical requirements. "Around 70% of the cost pertains to transportation. If that portion had been tendered separately, more players would have likely participated, encouraging competitive pricing. This entire process is rigged," he alleged. .Five contracts three for collection, transportation of debris to existing processing plants 2 end-to-end operations, including processing of debris Value Rs 2,227 crore over 15 years Rs 148.5 crore annually ..We had floated the tenders in the e-procurement portal. What can we do if the response is low - a senior BSWML official.
