Bengaluru: A notorious garbage blackspot on Davis Road in Cooke Town has been completely transformed into a clean, walkable footpath, following a cleanliness drive conducted by the Bengaluru North City Corporation (BNCC) over the weekend. The initiative, carried out in collaboration with the Cooke Town Residents’ Association (CTRA), has been hailed by locals as a model example of citizen participation and civic partnership.
Two-year garbage dump cleared
Residents said the 100-metre stretch at the Davis Road–Hennur Main Road junction in the Sarvagnanagar assembly constituency had been used as an illegal dumping ground for garbage, plastic waste, and construction debris for nearly two years. The site had become an eyesore and a health hazard for pedestrians and commuters alike.
Over the weekend, civic workers and Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) personnel joined hands with CTRA members to clear heaps of waste, repaint compound walls, and restore the damaged footpath. The area, once notorious for litter and stench, now features a freshly painted walkway and a dedicated pedestrian path.
BNCC rewards best-performing team
The Sarvagnanagar team, which led the cleanup initiative, won first prize of ₹1 lakh from BNCC for being the best-performing team under the civic body’s ongoing “Clean Neighbourhood Challenge”.
“This is a proud moment for Cooke Town and a shining example of effective collaboration between residents and civic authorities,” said Mathew Verghese, secretary of CTRA.
In a statement, the association added,
“CTRA is very happy and proud to be part of this exercise. We hope to see more such clean-up drives and continued collaboration going forward.”
Model for other localities
BNCC officials said the initiative is part of a broader campaign to identify and rehabilitate blackspots across North Bengaluru. Civic officers emphasised that public cooperation is key to sustaining cleanliness and preventing the re-emergence of illegal dumping zones.
The corporation has urged residents to report garbage accumulation through the BNCC mobile app or helpline and to support local waste segregation and recycling efforts.
Boost to neighbourhood aesthetics and safety
Residents have welcomed the transformation, saying it has improved walkability, enhanced safety, and boosted the neighbourhood’s visual appeal. Many walkers and commuters have already begun using the restored pavement.
“This area used to be unbearable to pass by. The smell and sight were awful. Now it looks like a completely new street,” said Anita Raj, a resident of Davis Road.
The success of the Cooke Town project, locals hope, will inspire similar initiatives in other blackspots across Bengaluru plagued by garbage dumping and civic neglect.