Zonal commissioners to oversee waste management in Bengaluru

In a move to enhance accountability in waste management in Bengaluru, the government of Karnataka has assigned zonal commissioners additional responsibilities, including monitoring waste collection and ensuring overall cleanliness within their respective zones.

Previously, the responsibility for waste management lay with Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) while zonal commissioners had limited authority.

Under the new arrangement, although the BSWML will continue to handle waste collection and transportation, the entire process will be overseen by the zonal commissioners. Once new municipal corporations are formed, these powers will be transferred to them.

A BSWML source clarified that Deputy General Managers (DGMs) and Assistant General Managers (AGMs) will continue to manage day-to-day operations at BSWML, but their work will now come under the supervision of zonal commissioners. BSWML will remain involved in decision-making processes.

A senior BBMP official told The Hindu that this move follows a decision to strengthen waste management by involving more stakeholders.

According to the new order, zonal commissioners will supervise black spots, waste collection, and fine collection, while BSWML will be responsible for operations. Processing of collected waste will continue to be solely managed by BSWML.

Following a recent meeting, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar hinted at major changes in the city’s waste management system, announcing that he had directed BBMP officials to intensify supervision of waste disposal and ensure fines are collected from those dumping garbage in public spaces.

In the Swachh Survekshan 2025 report, released about in July, Bengaluru fared poorly. Weeks later, the government of Karnataka issued transfer orders for the CEO and Chief Engineer of BSWML.