Bengaluru (Karnataka): Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) has achieved significant results in its ongoing crackdown on banned plastic, with nearly 52 tonnes seized and fines totaling Rs 1.3 crore collected during the 18-day drive from September 8 to 26. The enforcement initiative highlights varying approaches and outcomes across different city zones.

West city corporation leads in enforcement

BSWML data show that Bengaluru West city corporation recorded the highest number of cases, with 2,876 violations registered by civic marshals. The division collected Rs 38.6 lakh in fines and seized around 12 tonnes of banned plastic. The fines were imposed on both traders and users:

  • Trading or selling banned plastic: Rs 50,000 for first offence; Rs 1,00,000 for repeat offences
  • Commercial users: Rs 25,000 initially; Rs 50,000 for repeat violations
  • Domestic users: Rs 500 initially; Rs 1,000 for repeat violations

City-wide results and variations

Across all five city corporations, authorities registered 9,580 cases, seizing 51.9 tonnes of plastic. The penalties and seizure quantities varied significantly:

  • Bengaluru North city corporation: 1,406 cases, 19.8 tonnes seized, Rs 31.3 lakh fines — focus on bulk stockpiles and warehouses; Rs 158 per kg of plastic seized
  • Bengaluru East city corporation: 959 cases, 1.2 tonnes seized, Rs 11.8 lakh fines — targeting repeat offenders; Rs 946 per kg, the highest rate in the city
  • Bengaluru Central city corporation: 2,584 cases, 13.1 tonnes seized, Rs 28.1 lakh fines
  • Bengaluru South city corporation: 1,755 cases, 5.8 tonnes seized, Rs 23.3 lakh fines

BSWML CEO Kari Gowda noted that the differences in penalties reflect local realities: “North deals with bulk stockpiles, East targets retailers, and West sees widespread petty violations. The Greater Bengaluru Area has promised to review the penalty framework to ensure fairness and effectiveness.”

New fines for littering and plastic use

Earlier this month, BSWML announced stricter rules for littering, with penalties of Rs 2,000 for throwing garbage on roads, drains, and black spots, replacing the previous staggered fines of Rs 500–2,000.

The crackdown demonstrates intensive enforcement efforts, with marshals conducting regular raids across wards. Top wards with violations include Mahadevapura, KR Puram, and Bytarayanapura, particularly in the East corporation zone.

Impact and future measures

The enforcement drive underscores the government’s commitment to curbing plastic pollution in Bengaluru, enforcing bans on single-use plastics and penalising non-compliance. The variation in enforcement strategies — from bulk stockpile seizures in North to fines on repeat offenders in East — is designed to tackle plastic use comprehensively.

Kari Gowda emphasised that the initiative marks one of the most intensive drives in recent months, and further reviews will aim to balance fairness with effectiveness, ensuring both compliance and awareness.

With 52 tonnes of banned plastic seized in under three weeks, BSWML’s crackdown highlights the city’s focus on environmental sustainability, encouraging residents, businesses, and retailers to transition to eco-friendly alternatives.