Bengaluru: In a unique eco-friendly move, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has partnered with Pelican Kenterra and the Wipro Foundation to create soil-less, compost-based gardens along metro medians.
This green initiative aims to reduce dependency on soil sourced from fertile agricultural lands and mountain regions, while also offering a sustainable outlet for compost usage. Moreover, it addresses the widespread problem of construction debris being dumped along metro medians.
The project revolves around reusing reject compost and garden waste collected from residential layouts and commercial hubs. As a pilot, Kenterra executed a 100-metre garden stretch near the Manjunath Nagar Metro Station, using over 20 metric tonnes of compost. This compost was treated with a proprietary method to create a soil-less medium, which was then used to grow decorative plants between five metro pillars.
Impressed by the pilot’s outcome, BMRCL has now allotted five kilometres of median space between HSR Layout and Bellandur for similar development. For the first 12 medians, 600 cubic metres of compost and green waste were sourced from the Wipro Forest area in Sarjapur.
A BMRCL spokesperson remarked, “We never imagined metro medians could help tackle the city’s waste problem. This project supports our broader goals—encouraging public transport, reducing vehicle emissions, and supporting sustainability.”
The initiative not only enhances the city’s aesthetics but also helps close the urban compost loop, turning waste into vibrant greenery.
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