In an effort to bring discipline to waste collection and transportation in the city, Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) has begun identifying irregularities in ward-level operations and issuing show-cause notices to waste collection contractors.
Irregular attendance, delayed commencement of waste collection, and functioning without the required capacity are among the lapses cited in the show-cause notices reviewed by The Hindu.
More than five contractors were served notices on August 21 and 22, according to official documents. Karee Gowda, Chief Executive Officer of BSWML, confirmed the issuance of these notices.
The cited problems include irregular attendance during mustering, absence of waste collection tippers in some wards, irregular attendance of drivers and helpers, and more seriously, drivers operating without valid driving licences.
The notices also highlight the failure of contractors to provide basic safety gears such as gloves, aprons, and boots. Contractors were also pulled up for poor maintenance of vehicles, broken announcement systems, failure to use speakers during waste collection, and bringing in pre-loaded vehicles at the time of mustering.
The BSWML has sought explanations for these lapses within seven days. Unsatisfactory responses are likely to result in four possible actions: filing FIRs against contractors for employing drivers without licences, termination of waste collection contracts, initiation of disciplinary proceedings, and imposition of fines.
According to Mr. Gowda, the decision to issue notices was taken to streamline work processes, particularly in terms of timings and punctuality, across the wards.
Mr. Gowda, who was recently transferred to BSWML, replaced K. Harish Kumar following the Swachh Survekshan survey in which Bengaluru underperformed in cleanliness rankings. A source told The Hindu that the government pinned responsibility for the poor performance on BSWML’s mismanagement of the city’s waste.
and transportation.
As part of corrective measures, the BSWML advanced the mustering time from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. and directed vehicles to begin waste collection at 6:30 a.m. This move, while intended to make waste disposal more convenient for the public, was also aimed at enforcing discipline among contractors. In addition, Mr. Gowda has ordered that all vehicles share their live location in a common group.
Published – August 26, 2025 11:53 pm IST
