Subheadline: A surprise inspection across eastern Bengaluru found gaps in waste collection and civic maintenance, prompting directions on cleanup, encroachments, roads and stormwater drains.
Bengaluru | September 6, 2026
Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda has warned that pourakarmikas who remain absent from duty for prolonged periods could face dismissal, after an early-morning inspection found that around 30% were not reporting for work. The inspection covered Horamavu, Banjara Layout, Agara Lake, Ramamurthy Nagar and Kasturinagar.
Gowda reviewed door-to-door garbage collection, lake and drain maintenance, footpaths, potholes, road cuts and ongoing railway and metro works during the inspection, according to a report by Deccan Herald. He directed officials to ensure that waste is collected daily and that construction debris and footpath encroachments are removed.
At Agara Lake, the minister ordered the immediate removal of accumulated waste and action against encroachments. He also instructed officials to regularly desilt stormwater drains and repair potholes and road cuts identified during the inspection.
The inspection also covered utility infrastructure near the lake. Gowda directed officials to relocate Bescom transformers from the lake premises, although the report did not specify the number of transformers involved or provide a deadline for the relocation.
The minister’s warning came in response to demands from pourakarmikas for regularisation. “How can we make those who don’t come to work permanent?” Gowda asked, stressing that regularisation could not come at the cost of accountability. He said prolonged absenteeism could result in dismissal from service.
The directions place waste collection, lake protection, stormwater drainage and road maintenance among the immediate civic tasks for officials in the inspected areas. The report did not state when the cleanup and infrastructure-related measures would be completed.
