Bengaluru property owners may soon be required to pay a user fee ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 500 per month for waste collection and disposal. This proposal has been submitted by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to the state government for approval. Residential properties are expected to incur a fee of Rs 100, while commercial properties could face charges as high as Rs 500 per month.
An official from the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Ltd (BSWML) revealed that the Solid Waste Management Rules-2016 include a provision for collecting user fees from property owners. Despite this, the BBMP has not previously enforced such fees. However, following a decision by the BSWML board, the BBMP has now proposed the collection of these fees, awaiting the state government’s consent.
“We will commence fee collection as soon as we receive government approval. The user fee will be integrated with the property tax,” stated the official. He also noted that similar fee collection practices are already in place in panchayats across Karnataka, and the proposed fees for Bengaluru are comparatively lower.
The BSWML, established by the BBMP in 2021, is tasked with the management of solid waste in the city. Recently, the entire responsibility for waste collection, transportation, and disposal in Bengaluru was transferred to BSWML. According to existing regulations, the civic body can levy a user fee of up to Rs 200 per month. However, BBMP has requested approval to charge Rs 100 per month for residential properties and Rs 500 per month for commercial properties. The BBMP plans to collect the user fee alongside property tax payments, subsequently transferring the funds to BSWML. The Palike estimates that this initiative could generate nearly Rs 800 crore annually.
Currently, BBMP collects a solid waste management cess as part of the property tax. It remains unclear how the proposed user fee will impact the existing cess. If the new user fee is approved and integrated into the property tax system, it will likely come into effect for the 2025-26 fiscal year, as the collection for 2024-25 has already commenced.
This proposal aims to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of waste management in Bengaluru, addressing the city’s growing waste disposal needs. The implementation of user fees is expected to provide BSWML with the necessary resources to manage waste more effectively, ensuring a cleaner and more sustainable urban environment. The proposal underscores the importance of sustainable waste management practices in urban governance, reflecting a growing recognition of the need for dedicated funding mechanisms to support essential civic services. As Bengaluru continues to expand, such measures are crucial to maintaining the city’s livability and environmental health.
