Blame game over Bengaluru market filth

Sanitation woes continue to plague some of Bengaluru’s oldest and busiest markets, including the iconic Russell Market in Shivajinagar, where overflowing garbage, clogged drains, and unhygienic toilets have turned public spaces into health hazards.

Despite repeated clean-up campaigns, conditions at many markets remain unchanged, leading to a growing blame game between civic authorities and local vendors. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) claims it carries out regular waste removal, but officials say the problem is aggravated by vendors who fail to segregate garbage, use banned plastic, and dump waste irresponsibly.

On the other hand, shopkeepers argue that poor infrastructure and irregular garbage collection are at the root of the problem. “There are no functioning toilets, and waste piles up for days before it’s cleared. During rains, it’s impossible to even walk through the market without stepping into filth,” a fish vendor at Russell Market said. The issue of waste mismanagement extends to several major markets across the city, including KR Market, Johnson Market, and Malleswaram Market, where narrow lanes often remain waterlogged and littered, causing inconvenience to both traders and shoppers.

Civic experts say the lack of coordination and accountability between vendors and BBMP has turned these vital commercial spaces into unsanitary zones. They call for strict enforcement of waste disposal norms, better infrastructure, and a joint approach involving all stakeholders to bring lasting change. Until then, Bengaluru’s markets remain caught in a cycle of neglect, blame, and temporary fixes.