Bengaluru’s first Cauvery Aarti event generates five tonnes of waste

Bengaluru witnessed its first-ever Cauvery Aarti at Sankey Tank on March 21, an event organized by the Karnataka government. The large-scale religious and cultural gathering, which attracted over 10,000 attendees, led to the accumulation of nearly five tonnes of waste, including plastic bottles, floral decorations, food wrappers, and banners. However, prompt action by pourakarmikas and waste collectors ensured a swift cleanup, preventing any lasting environmental impact.

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The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) deployed four auto tippers to collect the waste immediately after the event. A compactor was later used to transport the collected garbage to the landfill in Kannur. The cleanup operation, which began late at night, extended into the early hours of March 22, with civic workers laboring for more than four hours. Their efforts continued until 3:30 am, ensuring the venue was restored to its original state by morning.

The event featured a grand procession, a religious puja, a lighting display, a laser show, and a live orchestra. Priests from Varanasi were brought in to perform the rituals, while Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, along with several other ministers, participated in the ceremony. The gathering also included families of Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) employees.

Ahead of the event, the Deputy Chief Minister announced that the state government would launch a month-long water conservation campaign on March 22, coinciding with the Cauvery Aarti in Bengaluru.