₹550-crore package ends garbage standoff: Govt steps in to restore Bengaluru’s waste collection

Two-day deadlock over infrastructure funds at Bellahalli landfill ends after state government announces major financial package for affected villages.

The two-day standoff between the civic authorities and residents of landfill villages around Bellahalli and Mittaganahalli came to an end late Wednesday night after the Karnataka government announced a ₹550-crore infrastructure development package. The move is expected to restore normal garbage collection operations across Bengaluru, which were severely disrupted following protests.

Residents of Bellahalli and Mittaganahalli, home to nearly 600 families, had blocked garbage trucks from entering the 30-acre Bellahalli landfill, which receives around 1,500 tonnes of waste daily from Bengaluru. The protest was triggered by long-pending demands for better roads, healthcare facilities, and basic infrastructure. As a result, waste disposal operations came to a halt for two consecutive days.

The blockade quickly impacted multiple parts of the city. Areas including Kalasipalya, JP Nagar, Konanakunte, RR Nagar, BTM Layout, Sahakarnagar, Rajajinagar, Basaveshwaranagar, Kammanahalli, and surrounding neighbourhoods reported missed garbage pickups. Piles of waste were seen outside homes and on streets, raising concerns about sanitation and the emergence of new garbage blackspots.

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Initially, authorities, including Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, took a firm stance, warning against prolonged disruptions. However, to prevent the situation from worsening, the state government stepped in with a comprehensive funding package.

Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) CEO Kari Gowda confirmed the allocation of funds for village development. Under Phase 1, ₹90 crore each has been sanctioned for Mahadevapura, Byatarayanapura, and Yeshwanthpur, while Anekal will receive ₹50 crore, Bengaluru South ₹20 crore, and Doddaballapur ₹10 crore. In Phase 2, an additional ₹100 crore each will be allocated to Byatarayanapura and Mahadevapura.

Gowda also announced plans to reduce the number of garbage transport vehicles visiting the landfill and regulate waste movement more efficiently in the coming months, aiming to reduce environmental and health impacts on nearby villages.

With the agreement in place, waste transportation to Bellahalli has resumed, bringing much-needed relief to residents across Bengaluru.