A step towards making the city litter-free, residents must cooperate with officials to achieve success
BENGALURU
In a unique initiative to curb public littering and promote citizen involvement in waste management, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) in collaboration with Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) has launched a new campaign rewarding residents who report littering incidents.
According to a report by NDTV, citizens can now earn ₹250 by capturing videos of people dumping garbage in public areas and sharing the footage with officials. To facilitate the process, the GBA will soon release a dedicated WhatsApp number and social media handles for video submissions. Additionally, a mobile app designed for this purpose is currently under development and expected to launch within a week.
The initiative is part of Bengaluru’s ongoing efforts to combat waste mismanagement and strengthen civic responsibility. Just last week, the GBA introduced the “Garbage Dumping Festival,” warning that improperly discarded trash could be returned to offenders’ doorsteps as a symbolic “gift.” The drive seeks to shame habitual violators and reduce open dumping in public spaces.
BSWML Chief Executive Officer Karigowda told reporters that despite deploying nearly 5,000 autos to collect both dry and wet waste daily, some residents continue to dispose of waste irresponsibly. “This video-based reward and penalty system is aimed at changing such behaviour,” he said.
“Think of it as a return gift to create awareness,” Karigowda remarked, adding that those caught littering will not only have their garbage sent back but also face a ₹2,000 fine. He urged citizens to act responsibly and cooperate with the authorities to make Bengaluru a cleaner, healthier, and more livable city.