Status: Not ApprovedHEAD: 24_Ban_H_Garbage Burning Byline: Hamsaveni NGarbage Burning Back in Focus as Residents Flag Repeated Incidents in East, RR Nagar (Official quote awaited)Has garbage burning returned to Bengaluru? Residents across parts of the city are raising fresh concerns about waste being burnt in broad daylight, leaving thick smoke lingering over residential neighbourhoods.In areas under the Bengaluru East City Corporation, particularly in KR Puram right behind the Greater Bengaluru Authority office, residents flagged continuous garbage burning near transfer stations. This was reportedly the 3rd such incident in the locality this month. While it remains unclear whether the fires are deliberately lit or accidental, the smoke became a major concern.Muniraj, a resident from KR Puram who is affected by the smoke, told TOI, “Surely the fire is not coming by itself and someone is igniting the fire. While we don’t get the smell, the smoke enters our house easily. People with vizzing issues get affected because of this smell. It seems like they are mostly burning plastic, leading to more smoke. This burning is happening very close to Gangshetty Lake; hence, the daily walkers feel very uncomfortable to come walking.”Balaji Ragotham, another lake activist, said, “The burning is happening in multiple locations in the east corporation. This is happening near the transfer stations. I don’t know why they are transferring garbage on the road, and somehow the fire is lit up. The main problem is that the garbage is left on roads as black spots and the fire is set. Recently, a lorry got gutted because of the fire, and the fire team came to shut off the fire.”Similar complaints emerged from RR Nagar. Kalpana Vishwanath, a resident of RR Nagar, said, “A lot of garbage and dry leaves burning is happening continuously in RR Nagar. It became a very routine thing here. Recently, dry leaves are being burnt, and just yesterday I turned off the fire. GBA should seriously think about handling the burning and using a leaf shredder. Garbage is being burnt along with the dry leaves, so this is the time for the garbage to get mixed up and burnt. No one seems to be caring.”According to the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML), between August 2025 and January 2026, 1,220 garbage burning cases were registered on the SWM Sahaya app, of which 1,186 were marked as resolved. In February alone, 242 such cases were reported, with 158 resolved so far.Experts warn that open garbage burning releases harmful pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide, and toxic chemicals like dioxins and furans—especially when plastic waste is involved. These pollutants can aggravate asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory illnesses, cause eye and throat irritation, and contribute significantly to urban air pollution. Prolonged exposure may also impact children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions.Under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, open burning of solid waste is strictly prohibited. In Bengaluru, civic authorities can impose spot fines on individuals or agencies found burning waste. Repeated violations can attract higher penalties and legal action under municipal and environmental laws, and property owners or contractors may be held accountable if burning occurs within their premises or due to improper waste handling. MSID:: 128754029 413 |
