Bengaluru: The newly introduced Solid Waste Management (SWM) user fee, part of this financial year’s property tax, has stirred frustration among residents of large apartment complexes, especially those not using BBMP’s waste collection services.
Over 3,500 bulk waste generators, including residential communities and large commercial spaces, are impacted. Under BBMP’s 2020 SWM bylaw, any apartment producing over 100 kg of waste daily, or commercial units spread across 5,000+ sq m, must either compost on-site or hire authorized private vendors for disposal.
Despite complying with these rules, many apartment residents have noticed additional charges — an SWM fee of ₹1,200 or more, besides the ₹360 cess, in their 2025–26 property tax. Residents argue that since BBMP auto tippers don’t collect their garbage, levying the user fee feels unjust.
The Bangalore Apartments Federation (BAF) echoed this concern, stating that apartments already bear monthly maintenance costs covering private waste disposal. The BBMP portal, however, currently lacks any mechanism for such properties to opt out or request an exemption from the new fee.
Responding to the backlash, BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath stated that a system would soon be introduced allowing bulk generators to self-declare their status. He added that if these generators do not follow SWM rules, BBMP would step in — but at a charge of ₹12 per kg of waste.
Meanwhile, smaller apartments may find the fee more acceptable, as many RWAs were already informally paying BBMP collectors. However, pressure to reduce monthly maintenance costs is mounting.
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