The State government has formed a Nodal Oversight and Implementation Committee to monitor a new, technology-driven solid waste management system for Bengaluru, acting on directions issued by the Karnataka High Court.
In its order dated November 3, 2025, the court called for a complete overhaul of the way the city handles garbage, directing the State to immediately begin building a unified and integrated digital platform for solid waste management. A subsequent order reiterated these directions and set a 15-day deadline for the formation of a nodal committee to supervise implementation.
According to the court’s order, Bengaluru must shift from using multiple fragmented applications for waste services to a single, seamless governance model described as “One City, One Platform.” This platform must provide an integrated experience for citizens, civic workers, operators and administrators by bringing together all waste-related interactions in one place.
The court stated that the system should include a real-time digital dashboard, a mobile app for citizen grievances, GPS tracking for waste-collection vehicles, weighbridge integration, and a citywide CCTV camera surveillance network. It further clarified that these components are not separate initiatives but interconnected elements of one unified framework. CCTV camera surveillance will act as the primary information-gathering system, transmitting real-time data on dumping, violations, vehicle movement, and blackspots.
This data will flow directly into the platform’s analytical dashboard, which will process it, trigger enforcement action, and track penalties. In parallel, complaints filed by citizens through the mobile app will inform hotspot monitoring and surveillance deployment. The court compared this mechanism to “eyes on the ground” feeding data to an administrative “brain” that ensures accountability, accuracy and timely intervention.
To carry out these directions, the High Court has instructed the Chief Commissioner of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), the Commissioners of all five corporations, and the Principal Secretary of the e-Governance Department to immediately begin designing, developing, and implementing the unified platform without delay. To ensure that this process is structured and time-bound, the court ordered the State Chief Secretary to constitute a Nodal Oversight and Implementation Committee. Acting on these directions, the State government issued order on November 28, constituting the committee.
The committee will be headed by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Urban Development Department, who will serve as President, while the GBA Chief Commissioner will act as Vice-President. The CEO of Bangalore Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) has been designated the Member Secretary. The committee also includes the Commissioners of all the corporations, a senior police officer not below the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police nominated by the Bengaluru Police Commissioner, and a senior scientist or environmental officer from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board nominated by its Chairman.
The High Court has further required the inclusion of a technical expert specialising in large-scale CCTV camera surveillance, network architecture, and data management, along with the Additional Advocate General or the Chief Legal Officer of GBA, and other legal advisors needed to support the committee. The Government Order also noted that the Chief Secretary may nominate any additional officers or experts as required to strengthen the functioning of the committee.
Published – November 30, 2025 07:14 pm IST
