The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has mandated that all owners of vacant plots within its jurisdiction must clear their properties of garbage and debris by August 15,2026. Failure to comply will result in penalties reaching up to ₹1 lakh. GBA Chief Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao announced this directive on Tuesday, emphasizing the importance of maintaining cleanliness in the city.
if property owners do not meet the deadline,the respective City Corporation will take action to remove the waste and charge the costs back to owners, which will be added to their property tax for year. The charges will depend on size of the plot and the volume of waste that needs to be cleared.
The GBA's initiative follows a prior notice issued on July 15, which urged plot owners to begin cleaning their sites. This effort is part of broader campaign called “Freedom from Waste,” which is set to kick off on August 1,following the “Safe Footpath” drive that began on July 1. The authority aims to enhance the cleanliness and hygiene of city through these initiatives.
In addition to the penalties for non-compliance,the GBA has established a structured fine system under the Solid Waste Management Bye-laws of 2020. Initially,a penalty of ₹25,000 will be imposed for the first violation, while subsequent violations will incur fines ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh .
To facilitate community involvement,the GBA has encouraged residents to report unkempt plots by sending geo-tagged photographs to a dedicated WhatsApp Chatbot at +91 94481 97197 . authority has assured that the identities of those reporting will remain confidential,fostering a sense of community responsibility in maintaining cleanliness.
Furthermore, the GBA has recommended that plot owners construct fences or compound walls around their cleaned sites to deter unauthorized dumping of waste in the future. This proactive measure aims to prevent the recurrence of garbage accumulation and promote a cleaner environment in Bengaluru.
