Latest news with #GreaterBengaluruAuthority
Time of India
14 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Help wanted: Experienced garbologists
R Edwin Sudhir, a Bengaluru-based journalist and writer, has the interesting privilege of living in a once-sleepy town which has morphed into a city fast-forwarding into a connected world but sadly disconnected with the ground realities of more people competing for shrinking space. The experience is oddly exhilarating yet often mildly alarming for long-time residents who see how technology has transformed a sleepy beantown into a bustling boomtown. And swept its residents too in the headlong rush to keep pace. LESS ... MORE Bengaluru generates humongous tonnes of garbage every day. The city's civic body may give you an official figure but the actual figure could be higher, as it usually is with government data. A lot of it ends up on pavements and street corners and some piles up on overflowing vans parked by the roads. Much of it is carted away by smelly vehicles which do the rounds every morning. Men from them dart across to pick up (mostly) black, (often) biodegradable bags from bungalows or tip the contents of blue, plastic drums from apartments into their trucks. Off they go to one landfill or the other on the outskirts of the city. This exercise is repeated every morning with some regularity, marred by festival days or flash strikes. Some of this garbage is segregated and some is mixed. That's why Greater Bengaluru Authority desperately needs garbologists. Its precursor, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, tried bravely to deal with the refuse but GBA needs men and women trained in garbology. Sadly, no university in India seems to offer this course and that's where the three Bengaluru universities can be pioneers. There are several models, like the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Our varsities can use the American models to design course content and customise material to local conditions. Students can intern with GBA and once they graduate, they can be absorbed into its solid waste department. It's not rocket science, after all. Collect waste from residents, segregrate it and dispose it as per protocol. Waste-to-energy management is a huge opportunity for entrepreneurs willing to get their hands dirty. Anu Aga's Thermax Ltd in Pune has shown it's eminently possible. Of course, residents need to do their bit, without leaving everything to the SWD. For starters, segregate waste, ensure black spots don't form, don't dump plastic water bottles and empty chips packets into drains, among others. Every bit helps. To circle back a bit, garbologists are not only waste disposers. They analyse a city's waste to look for patterns of how it's generated and look for better ways to clear it. Bengaluru will be going to the root cause of the garbage problem and hopefully find solutions quickly. Lest we are forced to suffer an olfactory assault of rotting waste and suffer the ignominy of going from Garden City Garbage City in the span of just a few decades. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Indian Express
15 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
BBMP readies 3 lakh notices for owners under-assessing properties
In a crackdown on building owners under-assessing their properties and paying less tax to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the civic body has decided to soon serve notices to around 2.5-3 lakh properties. The notices will come along with fines for concealing the true extent of the built-up area. According to Munish Moudgil, Special Commissioner (Revenue), the BBMP used drones to verify the extent of property declared by the owner under the self-assessment scheme and found that many had under-declared. 'Based on this, we will issue notices to property owners and ask them to pay the tax dues,' he said. According to sources, flaws were detected in almost a sixth of the 20 lakh properties self-assessed by their owners. For instance, under the Self-Assessment Scheme (SAS), a building with five floors had declared it as having only three floors. This was flagged during the drone survey carried out by BBMP in the city limits. In the notices, the BBMP will direct the property owners to pay tax for the total extent of the building, apart from levying penalties for the same. The civic agency could also go for a one-time settlement (OTS) scheme to clear the dues of these property owners, as it did with the property tax defaulters last year, sources added. The SAS, introduced in 2008, has been marred by several issues. In 2022, erstwhile BBMP – now Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) – was flooded with complaints after thousands of property owners were served notices on account of wrong zonal classifications in the SAS portal. Last year, BBMP introduced the OTS scheme for property tax defaulters. Around 3.81 lakh property owners were found to have defaulted on their taxes and were provided a chance to pay by waiving compound interest on arrears and reducing penalties by 50 per cent. The crackdown on under-assessment of properties is expected to generate additional revenue for BBMP, which has a revenue target of around Rs 5,700 crore for the 2025-26 fiscal.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Indian Express
Bengaluru civic body to rope in police to curb illegal waste dumping
Under a new initiative, Bengaluru civic authorities will soon rope in the city police to curb illegal waste dumping. Apart from this, a new website will be launched on June 6 to allow residents to raise complaints regarding waste dumping in their localities. Addressing a news conference on Monday, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said that the initiatives were part of the 'Clean Bengaluru Action Plan', which will be announced on the said date. 'We will install more (CCTV) cameras (in areas where dumping is rampant). We will launch a website to alert us about waste dumping. The police will be involved (for action against the offenders),' he said. The government is also mulling increasing the fine for improper waste disposal, especially dumping of construction debris, he said. Currently, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) levies fines ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 1 lakh for improper waste disposal. Commenting on the Green Bengaluru Vision, Shivakumar said that Rs 120 crore was allocated for the development of parks and lakes in the city. In 2023-24, 19 new parks were constructed and 47 were upgraded, while 19 lakes were developed and 40 were fenced. In 2024-25, 1,500 groundwater recharge pits were constructed, apart from works on various lakes in the city, the minister informed. On account of World Environment Day, which is celebrated every year on June 5, the GBA will give away Blu-Green Awards recognising the efforts of individuals, institutions, and communities that have contributed to the city's Climate Action Goals. Shivakumar said that GBA has received 175 entries for the award across sectors such as water, waste, urban planning, biodiversity, air quality, disaster management, and energy. The applicants for the prize include resident welfare associations, government bodies, schools, start-ups, and non-government organisations. Of the applications, 15 were selected by a jury. The winners will be feted during an event scheduled for June 6.
The Print
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
As rains expose infra woes, ‘de facto mayor' Shivakumar announces measures to protect ‘Brand Bengaluru'
'Immediate action is being taken to address flood-prone areas and reduce pain points across the city. A compensation of ₹10,000 will be provided to families affected by recent flooding,' Shivakumar posted on X. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced the relief after the government and city administration came under heavy criticism after the rains exposed Bengaluru's poor infrastructure. Bengaluru: The Karnataka government Sunday announced a compensation of Rs 10,000 for the families whose homes have been impacted by the flooding in Bengaluru as rains continue to pound India's IT capital, throwing life out of gear. With the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) now operational, expectations are high for Shivakumar, as vice-chairman, to deliver tangible progress in Bengaluru's development or, at least, stem the slide in the city of 14 million. After extensive consultations with legislators and officials of the Greater Bengaluru Authority, we have taken the following decisions to address pressing urban challenges and improve city infrastructure: Flood Management 1⃣Immediate action is being taken to address flood-prone… — DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) May 25, 2025 The deputy chief minister is also the minister in charge of Bengaluru, and with no elected council since September 2020, Shivakumar is widely seen as the city's de facto mayor. Shivakumar has been pushing to improve the image of 'Brand Bengaluru', but the recent rains have disrupted the efforts, with the city facing heavy criticism for widespread flooding, potholed roads and incomplete public infrastructure projects. Bengaluru is India's technology hub, but has long struggled with poor public infrastructure, corruption and extensive encroachment of its lakes and waterways, causing flooding and turning city roads into rivers. In the last two weeks, several homes have been hit by flooding, with boats and tractors being used to rescue people. On Sunday, the meteorological department warned of more rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds of up to 50 kmph in the next 24-48 hours. With the city reeling under the torrential rains, Shivakumar also said that a comprehensive parking policy was being drafted to ensure no basement parking near low-lying areas. The government says this will help prevent flooding of basements when it rains. Urban infrastructure experts have criticised the Bengaluru city corporation for its unscientific approach to addressing its challenges. 'The irony is that we are supposedly in the middle of a climate action plan. That plan is run in the oddest way possible – with BBMP telling other agencies and citizens what they should be doing, when it has itself shown zero commitment to climate readiness,' Ashwin Mahesh, a city-based urban infrastructure expert said in a post on X. The irony is that we are supposedly in the middle of a climate action plan. That plan is run in the oddest way possible – with BBMP telling other agencies and citizens what they should be doing, when it has itself shown zero commitment to climate readiness. — Ashwin Mahesh (@ashwinmahesh) May 20, 2025 Also Read: Bengaluru under water, Siddaramaiah govt gears up for grand 2-yr anniversary Ban on footpath vendors Shivakumar said service roads would be integrated with main roads to ensure a smooth flow of traffic in areas affected by metro construction. The deputy chief minister is also pushing for a Rs 40,000-crore tunnel project, which has also come under criticism. The Siddaramaiah-led cabinet Thursday approved the construction of a 16.7-kilometre underground tunnel road in Bengaluru, estimated to cost Rs 17,780 crore. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the principal opposition party, criticised the government for the lack of development. 'There's no visible development. The finance minister, who is also the CM, is unable to mobilise funds. Taxes are being imposed on garbage in Bengaluru,' B.Y. Vijayendra, the state BJP president, told reporters Sunday. He added that funds meant for development in constituencies were being diverted to fulfil the Congress party's guarantees. The government Sunday also said that only 27,665 vendors who have officially registered as footpath vendors will be allowed to do business in designated areas. 'In the future, we have decided to ban all footpath sales (vendors),' Shivakumar said. Labour rights activists protested the decision. 'Dear @DKShivakumar avare, parliament unanimously passed the street vendors act. The act allows for vending on road & footpath, with of course space given to pedestrians. We will not accept any violation of the act and illegal eviction of vendors,' Vinay Srinivasa, advocate and activist said in a post on X. Dear @DKShivakumar avare, parliament unanimously passed the street vendors act. The act allows for vending on road& footpath, with of course space given to pedestrians. We will not accept any violation of the act and illegal eviction of vendors @aicctukar @clifroz @lekhaadavi — ವಿನಯ್ ಕೂರಗಾಯಲ ಶ್ರೀನಿವಾಸ Vinay K S (@vinaysreeni) May 25, 2025 (Edited by Sugita Katyal) Also Read: Fed up of Bengaluru roads, doctor drags civic body to court, seeks Rs 50 lakh in damages
Hans India
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
BBMP restructuring by Sept 15 for Greater Bengaluru Authority: DKS
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has said that the division of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will be completed by September 15, and the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) will be formed. 'I will hold discussions with the Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka, including three to four more MLAs. After gathering everyone's suggestions, the proposal will be brought before the state Cabinet, and a final decision will be taken,' Shivakumar said on Saturday. Speaking to the media at Vidhana Soudha after a meeting on the Greater Bengaluru project, the Deputy Chief Minister added: 'A notification has been issued from May 15 to transition BBMP into the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA). Within 120 days, we are required to form new municipal bodies.' 'Therefore, I have sought suggestions from all Bengaluru MLAs on how many corporations should be created. Based on that, we will decide on future expansions. These new civic bodies must be constituted by September 15,' he said. He also added that discussions were held with legislators from rain-affected areas, and local officials have been given the authority to carry out emergency work. 'The required budget for this will be provided by the state government,' he said. Responding to the issue of water supply through tankers, Shivakumar added: 'In areas where complaints have been received, necessary seasonal measures will be implemented.' Regarding the issue of street vendors, he said: 'We have decided to clear all footpath shops in Bengaluru. So far, 27,665 street vendors have registered, and we are ready to provide pushcarts for them. They must operate only in the designated areas we identify. Of these, 3,755 vendors have already requested pushcarts.' 'Please don't try to exert pressure through MLAs. The law doesn't permit it. Even if we can't remove all at once, the process will be done systematically, in phases,' he added.
