One of the major metros of the country, Bengaluru, is implementing a new “waste user fee” from 1 April to strengthen its hygiene system. This fee will be combined with property tax and aims to make the house-to-door garbage collection and disposal system more effective. However, this new fee has led to anxiety and debate among the citizens.
What is the new waste user fee?
This new fee implemented by the Brihat Bangalore Metropolitan Municipality (BBMP) has been approved by the Government of Karnataka. The scheme was proposed by Bangalore Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) in November 2023, which was approved by the Urban Development Department.
With this fee, the government is expected to get more than Rs 600 crore revenue per year, which will be imposed in upgrading the garbage management facilities of the city. The fee is determined based on the size of the property, in which less fees from small houses and more than large assets will be charged.
Property size (in sq ft) monthly fee (in Rs. 600 sq ft) less than 600 sq ft ₹ 10 to 1,000 sq ft ₹ 30 to 2,000 sq ft ₹ 50 to 3,000 sq ft ₹ 100 ₹ 100 3,000 to 4,000 sq ft ₹ 4,000 sq ft ₹ 400 ₹ 400
Additional load on large garbage producers
Professional properties and large housing societies will have to pay more under this fee. The government has clarified that if a large housing society or corporate office does not send waste directly to the approved agencies, they will have to pay a fee of ₹ 12 per kg. This decision has been taken so that the excessive waste -generating institutions become more responsible for their waste management.
Citizens’ response: “We want clean Bengaluru, not more tax”
This new fee has created concern among the residents of Bangalore. Citizens say that they are ready to pay tax, but in return they should also see results.
Local resident Rajesh Kumar said, “I am ready to pay tax, but I want a clean and systematic Bengaluru. The government will have to ensure that this tax is properly utilized, otherwise the public will oppose it.”
Another resident Sneha Verma said, “The government already charge property tax and other fees. How should we believe that this new fee will really be used to improve the sanitation system?”
Will this fee be transparent?
Bangalore is already levied in solid waste management (SWM) cess, but citizens complain that their transparency has been questioned. In such a situation, the new fee has also come under suspicion. Experts say that if the government uses 100 percent of this revenue in the right places, then this step can prove to be helpful in making the city clean. However, the pressure to ensure accountability on the administration has also increased.
Government’s side
The government says that this new fee is part of the Swachh Bharat Mission and efforts to modernize Bangalore’s solid waste management. According to officials, this amount will be used to strengthen waste collection system, upgrade recycling facilities and prevent illegal dumping. “This fee will be implemented in a transparent manner and citizens will be given regular reports. Our goal is to improve waste management, not unnecessary to the public.”
What will happen next?
Although the government has described this fee as necessary, but its correct implementation will decide the response of the public. If this plan was successful and the city became clean, it could prove to be a historical step for Bengaluru. But if this tax is misused and citizens do not get the expected results, the possibility of protests cannot be ruled out.
There is a mixed reaction to the waste user fee in Bengaluru. While the government is describing it as necessary reforms for waste management, citizens are doubting its transparency, now it will be seen how much honesty and effectiveness the administration implements this scheme. Will Bengaluru be really clean or will it remain just another tax growth? This will be clear in the coming months.
