- New door-to-door primary waste collection system to be rolled out in Govindarajanagar, Mahalakshmi Layout, Vijayanagar and Chamarajpet
- Chickpet constituency to come under the new system in December
- GPS tracking mandatory for every waste collection vehicle; contractors to be paid strictly on the basis of GPS data
- System-generated billing, penalties for non-compliance and uniform standards for vehicles and sanitation workers to strengthen accountability
BENGALURU: The city is set to move towards a more accountable and technology-driven waste collection system, with new solid waste management contracts scheduled to become operational in four Assembly constituencies by the end of November. Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda has directed officials to complete all preparatory work and ensure the new system begins without disruption in Govindarajanagar, Mahalakshmi Layout, Vijayanagar and Chamarajpet. The new contracts are expected to commence in Chickpet constituency in December.
Reviewing the implementation of the new primary waste collection contracts at a meeting at Vikasa Soudha, the minister said the rollout must be backed by strict monitoring, GPS-based vehicle tracking and transparent payment mechanisms. He made it clear that contractors would be paid only for services verified through GPS data, with penalties for vehicles operating without the mandatory tracking system.
GPS tracking to become the basis for contractor payments
The minister directed that GPS installation be made compulsory for every vehicle deployed for waste collection. Payments to contractors must be linked to verified GPS data, and vehicles without functional GPS systems must not be eligible for billing for the day. Contractors violating the requirement must also face penalties.
A system-generated billing mechanism must be put in place so that payments are linked directly to actual vehicle operations rather than manual claims. The respective city corporation officials must closely monitor compliance and ensure that the system is implemented effectively.
Officials were also instructed to provide a detailed demonstration of the new software, which is already ready, and familiarise both contractors and departmental staff with its functioning. Corporation Commissioners will be responsible for supervising the rollout and ensuring coordination between all stakeholders.
New fleet to be equipped and operationalised without delay
The contractors awarded the four packages have already procured vehicles for waste collection. The minister directed them to complete the required fabrication work quickly and deploy the vehicles for collection operations within November. All vehicles must have GPS tracking and be monitored through the VAHAN portal and the invoicing system to verify their operational status.
He also instructed officials to ensure a uniform appearance and standard across the fleet, with appropriate branding and stickers on every vehicle. Sanitation workers must be provided with new uniforms and all personnel must be fully prepared before operations begin. The Minister emphasised that the transition to the new contracts must be smooth, with no confusion or disruption in daily waste collection.
Eliminating garbage black spots through stricter enforcement
Calling for a sustained effort to eliminate garbage black spots across the city, the Minister directed officials to adopt innovative measures to prevent recurring dumping.
Strict action must be taken against individuals who dump waste along roadsides and turn public spaces into garbage black spots. The focus, he said, must be on eliminating these locations rather than merely clearing accumulated waste.
Public awareness to support the new waste collection system
The minister also stressed the need for effective public communication and awareness campaigns during the rollout of the new contracts.
Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities must be implemented systematically to ensure residents are aware of the new collection arrangements and their responsibilities. Public awareness will be critical to ensuring the new system functions effectively at the neighbourhood level.
He directed contractors and officials to complete every aspect of the preparatory work before commencement and ensure that the new arrangements deliver the expected standards from day one.
33 packages created to restructure waste collection across GBA
The Greater Bengaluru Authority has created 33 packages for primary solid waste collection across its jurisdiction. Of these, work orders have already been issued for five packages, while Letters of Acceptance (LoAs) have been issued for 13 packages. The tender process for another 10 packages has been completed and the proposals have been forwarded to the Government for approval.
The remaining five packages are at different stages: one is under evaluation, two are before the High Court, one is under appeal, and the tender process for the final package will be taken up following a court order.
Household surveys to guide implementation of new contracts
Officials informed the Minister that household surveys had been conducted in the respective city corporations using a prescribed checklist. The survey findings have been compiled and are being used as the basis for implementing the new waste collection contracts.
The meeting was attended by GBA Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao, East City Corporation Commissioner D S Ramesh; Pommala Sunil Kumar; Shilpa Nag; Ramesh K N; CEO of Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited Karee Gowda; Additional Commissioner Lokhande Snehal Sudhakar, Chief Engineers Lokesh and Venkata Chalapathi, among others.
