Bengaluru is facing a dual crisis as rising piles of garbage exacerbate the city’s longstanding traffic congestion. With the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) struggling to manage waste effectively, uncollected garbage on the streets has become a new obstacle for motorists. Despite a recent clean-up effort, the inefficiency in waste collection during peak hours continues to add to the city’s traffic woes, leading to frustrations among commuters.
The problem is compounded by the fact that the city is experiencing a boom in vehicle registrations, averaging around 5,000 to 6,000 new vehicles daily. This surge strains the existing infrastructure, which has remained largely unchanged for years. According to traffic experts, Bengaluru’s hilly terrain makes road expansion both complex and costly, leaving residents grappling with an inadequate transportation system as waste trucks block roads during rush hours.
Moreover, open garbage trucks frequently spill waste, creating unsightly messes that not only contribute to the city’s poor image but also pose health risks. With dumping sites located 30 km away, trucks can only manage two or three trips per day, limiting waste management capabilities. Citizens have resorted to dumping garbage in front of their homes, illustrating the inadequacies in the waste management system and highlighting the urgent need for sustainable solutions. As Bengaluru navigates these challenges, lessons can be drawn from other states like Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, which have successfully implemented waste segregation and efficient collection systems. Without swift action, Bengaluru risks a continuous cycle of environmental degradation and traffic chaos that could have lasting impacts on urban life.
