Bengaluru: The Bengaluru South City Corporation has cleaned 709 of 1,242 identified vacant sites over the past two months as part of its Freedom from Waste campaign, aimed at preventing unused plots from becoming garbage dumping spots and breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

The civic body has also initiated action against owners of vacant plots that have not been maintained. Notices have been issued to 372 property owners, while strict action has been initiated against the owners of 533 vacant sites, according to Commissioner K.N. Ramesh.

Vacant plots targeted under cleanliness drive

The campaign focuses on vacant sites located in residential layouts across Bengaluru South.

Civic officials said such plots often accumulate household waste and other debris when they are left unattended. Over time, these locations can become garbage blackspots and create conditions conducive to mosquitoes and other pests.

The corporation has therefore asked property owners to ensure that their sites are regularly cleaned and properly maintained.

Officials have also urged owners to install suitable wire fencing around vacant plots. The fencing is intended to prevent people from using private sites as convenient locations for dumping garbage.

Commissioner K.N. Ramesh appealed to residents not to dump waste indiscriminately and to cooperate with the civic body in maintaining cleanliness in neighbourhoods.

Owners clean majority of identified sites

Of the 709 sites cleaned so far, the majority were cleared by the property owners themselves.

The civic corporation has stepped in where owners have failed to comply with directions or where additional action was required.

The division-wise figures show that the South division accounted for the largest number of identified vacant sites, with 518 plots. Owners have cleaned 305 of these sites, while the corporation has cleaned another 13.

Cleaning instructions have been issued for the remaining 200 sites in the South division, while notices have been sent to 93 owners.

Bommanahalli accounts for 277 cleaned sites

The Bommanahalli division identified 498 vacant plots requiring attention.

Owners have cleaned 276 sites, while the corporation has cleaned one additional site.

The civic body has issued notices to 140 owners in the division as part of its efforts to ensure that the remaining sites are brought under regular maintenance.

The figures indicate that most of the cleaning work is being carried out by property owners following directions from the civic authorities.

Action in BTM and Padmanabhanagar

In the BTM division, 111 vacant plots were identified.

Of these, owners have cleaned 23 sites and the corporation has cleaned five. Another 83 sites remain to be addressed, and notices have been issued to 62 owners.

In Padmanabhanagar, 62 vacant sites were identified. Owners have cleaned 38, while civic staff have cleaned 18.

Only six sites remain to be cleaned in the division. Notices have been issued to 35 property owners.

The civic body’s approach in these areas combines directions to property owners with enforcement action when sites remain neglected.

Jayanagar sites also under scrutiny

The Jayanagar division identified 53 vacant plots.

Owners have cleaned 26 sites, while the corporation has cleaned four. Twenty-three sites remain to be cleaned.

The civic body has issued notices to 42 owners in connection with the sites requiring attention.

Officials are continuing to monitor the remaining plots and have asked owners to take responsibility for maintaining their properties.

Focus on mosquito breeding and public health

The campaign is not limited to improving the appearance of residential neighbourhoods.

Civic officials have identified vacant plots as potential locations for mosquito breeding and the accumulation of waste. Unmaintained sites can also attract other pests and create inconvenience for people living in surrounding areas.

By ensuring that waste is removed and vegetation and other unwanted material are cleared, authorities aim to reduce such risks.

The corporation has therefore linked vacant-site maintenance with broader public health and sanitation concerns.

Notices issued to property owners

The civic body has made property owners responsible for maintaining their vacant sites.

Owners have been asked to prevent garbage from being dumped on their land and to install appropriate fencing. Those who fail to maintain their properties face action under applicable civic regulations.

The issuing of 372 notices represents part of the enforcement effort underway across Bengaluru South.

The corporation has also initiated strict action against the owners of 533 vacant plots, indicating that the drive is moving beyond identifying neglected sites towards ensuring compliance.

Public cooperation also important

While property owners have a responsibility to keep vacant plots clean, officials have also appealed to members of the public not to use such spaces for dumping waste.

A vacant plot can quickly become a dumping point if nearby residents or passers-by dispose of garbage there. This can undermine cleaning efforts even after a site has been cleared.

The corporation has therefore called for cooperation from both property owners and residents to prevent cleaned plots from returning to their previous condition.

The use of fencing is expected to help property owners protect their land from unauthorised dumping.

Campaign continues across Bengaluru South

The latest figures show that the Freedom from Waste campaign has covered more than half of the 1,242 vacant plots identified in Bengaluru South.

With 709 sites already cleaned, attention will now remain on the remaining 533 plots and on ensuring that properties already cleared continue to be maintained.

The division-wise data also shows differences in the scale of the problem across the corporation’s administrative areas, with South and Bommanahalli accounting for most of the identified vacant sites.

Continued monitoring and enforcement will be necessary to prevent the sites from becoming garbage blackspots again.

Conclusion

The Bengaluru South City Corporation has cleaned 709 of 1,242 identified vacant sites in two months under its Freedom from Waste campaign. The drive aims to prevent vacant plots from becoming garbage dumping grounds and mosquito breeding spots.

The corporation has issued notices to 372 property owners and initiated action against owners of 533 sites. Officials have asked property owners to maintain their plots, install proper fencing and prevent waste dumping, while residents have been urged to support the city’s cleanliness efforts.