Concerns of a renewed garbage crisis are intensifying in Bengaluru after waste collection services were disrupted in 76 localities, following protests by sanitation workers and auto drivers over working conditions and segregation issues.

Protest disrupts waste collection

The symbolic halt in services on Monday has triggered fears of a wider disruption across the city. Waste collection auto drivers have raised concerns over increasing workload, alleging that poor segregation practices at the household level are forcing them to manually sort garbage.

Workers claim they spend up to five hours daily separating mixed waste, exposing themselves to hazardous materials such as sharp objects.

Health risks for sanitation workers

Sanitation workers and contractors have highlighted serious health risks arising from prolonged exposure to unsegregated waste. Reports of injuries, skin infections, and other health complications have added urgency to their demands.

They argue that while authorities mandate three-way segregation at source, implementation on the ground remains inconsistent, shifting the burden onto workers.

Authorities call protest illegal

Officials from the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) have termed the stoppage “illegal”, stating that contractors are obligated to collect only properly segregated waste as per existing agreements.

Authorities also emphasised that the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) is in force, making uninterrupted waste collection a legal requirement.

FIRs filed against contractors

In response to the disruption, police have registered multiple FIRs against contractors for failing to carry out waste collection duties. One such case was filed at Kumaraswamy Layout Police Station after garbage was left uncleared in Padmanabhanagar, leading to public health concerns.

Additional cases have been registered in Rajajinagar and Girinagar police stations under the Karnataka Essential Services Maintenance Act, citing failure to clear waste in several wards.

City on edge

The situation has raised alarm among residents, with fears of garbage piling up if the issue is not resolved quickly. Bengaluru has faced similar crises in the past, and authorities are under pressure to ensure continuity of essential civic services.

As tensions continue between workers and officials, a resolution will be critical to prevent a full-scale sanitation emergency in the city.