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Bengaluru Burns: Garbage Fires Choke City
6 Sep
Summary
- Residents report continuous garbage burning near transfer stations in KR Puram.
- Open burning releases harmful pollutants like PM2.5, posing health risks.
- Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, strictly prohibit open garbage burning.
Residents across Bengaluru are reporting a resurgence of garbage burning, with thick smoke engulfing residential areas. Incidents in KR Puram, near transfer stations, have occurred multiple times this month, causing discomfort and health concerns due to the burning of plastics and other waste. Activists note that garbage is often left on roads, leading to fires that have even damaged vehicles.
Similar complaints have emerged from RR Nagar, where the continuous burning of dry leaves and garbage has become routine. Concerned citizens advocate for better waste management solutions, such as leaf shredders, to prevent these hazardous fires. Experts highlight that open burning releases harmful pollutants, including particulate matter and toxic chemicals, posing significant risks to public health, especially for vulnerable populations.
The Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) app registered over 1,200 cases of garbage burning between August 2025 and January 2026, with most marked as resolved. However, February alone saw 242 new reports. Open burning of solid waste is explicitly prohibited under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, with authorities empowered to issue spot fines and take legal action against offenders.
