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Bengaluru Chokes on Smog as Garbage Burning Returns
12 Mar
Summary
- Residents report widespread garbage burning, causing smoke in neighborhoods.
- Incidents noted in KR Pura and RR Nagar areas, affecting locals.
- Thousands of garbage burning cases registered and resolved on an app.
Garbage burning has become a significant concern for Bengaluru residents, with reports of waste being incinerated in daylight, blanketing neighborhoods in smoke. Incidents are particularly noticeable in areas under the Bengaluru East city corporation, including KR Pura, where burning near transfer stations is a recurring issue.
Similar complaints have emerged from RR Nagar, with residents highlighting the burning of dry leaves as a daily occurrence. According to Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML), the SWM Sahaaya app registered 1,220 garbage-burning cases between August 2025 and January 2026, with 1,186 marked as resolved. February alone saw 242 reported cases, 158 of which have been addressed.
Authorities acknowledge the challenge in pinpointing those responsible for burning waste, as it often happens during early morning or late-night hours. Open garbage burning is strictly prohibited under Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, with provisions for spot fines and potential legal action for violations.
