Garbage crisis returns to Bengaluru, residents step in as authorities face backlash

Bengaluru: The garbage crisis has resurfaced in Bengaluru, forcing frustrated residents to take matters into their own hands as civic authorities struggle to manage waste collection and disposal across the city.

Heaps of uncollected garbage have been reported from several localities, with residents alleging that waste has remained unattended for weeks and even months. In a striking display of public frustration, locals in multiple areas arranged for JCB machines and trucks at their own expense to clear the garbage piled up along roadsides.

The situation has sparked widespread outrage against the Greater Bengaluru Authority, which has come under fire for its failure to maintain basic sanitation standards. Prominent entrepreneur Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw also expressed strong displeasure over the issue.

Taking to social media platform X, she posted a video highlighting the garbage problem and questioned the accountability of civic authorities. “Is the Greater Bengaluru Authority even listening, or just pretending? This is absolutely shameful,” she wrote, echoing the sentiments of many citizens.

One of the worst-affected areas is Ward No. 171 in Gurappanapalya, located in the Jayanagar Assembly constituency. Residents complained that garbage has not been cleared for extended periods, leaving the area unhygienic and foul-smelling.

With no response from authorities, local resident and social worker Masti Zakir initiated a clean-up drive using his own funds. The effort saw residents come together to remove accumulated waste, underscoring the severity of the civic failure.

Angry residents also staged protests at Old Gurappanapalya Circle, raising slogans against GBA and municipal officials. They highlighted the health hazards posed by the decaying waste, including foul odour, increased risk of disease, and inconvenience to daily commuters.

Citizens demanded immediate intervention, urging authorities to not only clear existing garbage but also ensure regular waste collection to prevent recurrence. “If you cannot manage the waste, at least put systems in place so garbage doesn’t pile up again,” one resident said during the protest.

The recurring garbage crisis has once again exposed gaps in Bengaluru’s waste management system, raising serious questions about governance, accountability, and urban infrastructure in one of India’s fastest-growing cities.